Ball State Dominates Central Michigan in Final Showdown
Friday, March 6, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Worthen Arena
Ball State Cardinals 85, Central Michigan Chippewas 69, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Central Michigan Chippewas vs Ball State Cardinals?
Ball State Cardinals beat Central Michigan Chippewas 85-69 at Worthen Arena on March 6, 2026.
Who was favored in Central Michigan Chippewas vs Ball State Cardinals?
Ball State Cardinals were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive victory, the Ball State Cardinals defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 85-69 at Worthen Arena on March 7, 2026. This matchup was significant as both teams were looking to close out their seasons on a high note, with Ball State entering the game on a three-game winning streak. The Cardinals showcased their offensive prowess, averaging 69.8 points over their last five games, while Central Michigan had been scoring an average of 71.4 points in their recent outings.
Ball State's recent form has seen them secure four wins in their last ten games, with a notable improvement in their scoring, averaging 65.0 points per game while allowing 69.0. Their last five games reflected a record of 3-2, indicating a resurgence as they approached the end of the season. The Cardinals' home record stood at 1-3, but their away performance had been stronger, going 3-3 in their last six away games.
In contrast, Central Michigan had a mixed bag of results, finishing their last ten games with a record of 5-5. Despite their recent struggles, they had been scoring at a higher rate, averaging 77.6 points per game but also allowing 71.6. Their last five games included two wins, but they entered this game on a one-game losing streak after a defeat to Akron.
The home team, Ball State, had previously faced Central Michigan three times in the last two seasons, winning two of those encounters. Their most recent meeting on January 21, 2026, ended in a narrow victory for Central Michigan, 68-67, but the Cardinals had also claimed a win earlier in the same season with an 82-80 scoreline. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, with Ball State looking to assert dominance at home.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant absences that would affect either team, allowing both squads to field their best players for this important game. The conditions at Worthen Arena were favorable for basketball, providing a vibrant atmosphere for the home fans supporting the Cardinals.
The betting lines set by DraftKings favored Ball State, with a spread of -2.5 and a total of 134.5 for the game, indicating expectations of a competitive match. The home money line was listed at -142.0, while Central Michigan's was +120.0, reflecting the market's confidence in Ball State's ability to secure a win.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that Ball State was in control, leveraging their home court advantage effectively. The Cardinals' scoring was bolstered by key contributions from their players, leading to a comfortable margin by the end of the contest. The final score of 85-69 underscored Ball State's dominance, particularly in the second half, where they continued to build on their lead.
Fans watching the game would have noted Ball State's effective offensive strategy, which was evident in their ability to score consistently and maintain pressure on the Chippewas throughout the match. The Cardinals' performance not only secured a crucial victory but also showcased their potential as they move forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BALL -2.5 | 134.5 o -115 / u -105 | Central Michigan Chippewas +120 · Ball State Cardinals -142 |
Leaders
- PointsDavion Hill25Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsArmoni Zeigler7Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsArmoni Zeigler7Ball State Cardinals
- PointsPhat Phat Brooks17Central Michigan Chippewas
- AssistsTamario Adley6Central Michigan Chippewas
- ReboundsKeenan Garner8Central Michigan Chippewas
Recent form
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 4-6Streak W365 scored · 69 allowed per game1-3 at home
- W74-71at Western Michigan BroncosMar 4
- W79-43at Northern Illinois HuskiesFeb 28
- W74-73vs Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 25
- L65-78vs Akron ZipsFeb 20
- L57-69at Ohio BobcatsFeb 18
- L68-75vs Kent State Golden FlashesFeb 14
- L53-63vs Buffalo BullsFeb 12
- W73-68at UL Monroe WarhawksFeb 7
- L52-77at Bowling Green FalconsFeb 4
- L55-73at Toledo RocketsJan 31
Central Michigan Chippewas
Last 10: 5-5Streak L177.6 scored · 71.6 allowed per game1-4 away
- L64-77vs Akron ZipsMar 4
- W75-70at Buffalo BullsFeb 28
- L81-83at Kent State Golden FlashesFeb 25
- W83-70vs Western Michigan BroncosFeb 21
- L54-66at Eastern Michigan EaglesFeb 17
- W88-46vs Northern Illinois HuskiesFeb 14
- L80-85at Louisiana Ragin' CajunsFeb 7
- L89-95at Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 4
- W62-59vs Bowling Green FalconsFeb 1
- W100-65vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 28
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Central Michigan Chippewas | Ball State Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-56 | 32-55 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 58 |
| Three-pointers | 3-12 | 9-23 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 39 |
| Free throws | 8-15 | 12-19 |
| Free throw % | 53 | 63 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 21 |
| Assists | 14 | 23 |
| Steals | 3 | 7 |
| Blocks | 1 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 48 | 46 |
| Fouls | 18 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 21 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 2 | 91 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half34-50Davion Hill makes 26-foot three point jumper (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half34-52Davion Hill makes driving layup (Kayden Fish assists)
- 2nd Half36-52Phat Phat Brooks makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half36-54Kayden Fish makes layup (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half38-54Tamario Adley makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half38-57Devon Barnes makes 23-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half40-57Jalen Kampen makes layup (Nathan Claerbaut assists)
- 2nd Half40-59Kayden Fish makes layup (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half40-61Armoni Zeigler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-61Phat Phat Brooks makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half42-63Elmore James IV makes driving layup (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half44-63Phat Phat Brooks makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-63Keenan Garner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-63Nathan Claerbaut makes 5-foot hook shot (Tamario Adley assists)
- 2nd Half50-63Logan McIntire makes 24-foot three point jumper (Phat Phat Brooks assists)
- 2nd Half50-65Kayden Fish makes layup
- 2nd Half51-65Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-68Elmore James IV makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half53-68Nathan Claerbaut makes layup (Keenan Garner assists)
- 2nd Half54-68Nathan Claerbaut makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-68Nathan Claerbaut makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-70Davion Hill makes driving layup (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half57-70Tamario Adley makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-72Kayden Fish makes layup (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half57-75Devon Barnes makes 25-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half59-75Jaxson Whitaker makes layup (Keenan Garner assists)
- 2nd Half61-75Phat Phat Brooks makes driving layup (Tamario Adley assists)
- 2nd Half61-77Preston Copeland makes 2-foot dunk (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half63-77Keenan Garner makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half63-79Davion Hill makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-79Phat Phat Brooks makes 14-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half65-80Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-81Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-82Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-83Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-83Phat Phat Brooks makes 15-foot jumper (Logan McIntire assists)
- 2nd Half67-84Elmore James IV makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-85Elmore James IV makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-85Jalen Kampen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-85Jalen Kampen makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Ball State Cardinals, below favours Central Michigan Chippewas.
Venue
- Worthen ArenaMuncie, IN
- Attendance2815
- OfficialsD.J. Carstensen, Jim Bruno, Josh White
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Picks for NCAAB
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- Ball State Edges Central Michigan in Nail-BiterJan 20, 2026