Ball State Dominates Mansfield in Season Opener
Friday, November 7, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Worthen Arena
Ball State Cardinals 84, Mansfield Mountaineers 54, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Mansfield Mountaineers vs Ball State Cardinals?
Ball State Cardinals beat Mansfield Mountaineers 84-54 at Worthen Arena on November 7, 2025.
The Ball State Cardinals showcased a commanding performance against the Mansfield Mountaineers, securing an 84-54 victory in their season opener at Worthen Arena. This game highlighted the Cardinals' strong start to the season, improving their home record to 3-0, while the Mountaineers struggled to find their footing, dropping to 0-2 overall.
Ball State entered the game with a recent form of 5-5 over their last ten games, including a win against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns just days prior. They averaged 74.0 points scored and allowed 73.6 points during this stretch, indicating a competitive edge at home where they have a record of 5-2. Their last five games showed a slight dip, with an average of 68.4 points scored and 72.0 points allowed, but the victory against Louisiana seemed to reignite their offensive capabilities.
In contrast, Mansfield's recent form was less favorable, with a record of 0-1 in their last outing against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, where they managed to score only 54 points while allowing 76. This performance reflected their struggles on the road, as they have yet to secure a victory away from home.
The game unfolded with Ball State establishing a strong lead early on, and they maintained control throughout. The scoring plays in the second half included a series of successful layups and free throws from players like Devon Barnes and Juwan Maxey, who contributed significantly to the Cardinals’ scoring. The final score of 84-54 illustrated Ball State's dominance, with a decisive second half that saw them outscore Mansfield significantly.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the disparity in performance between the two teams suggests that Ball State was able to field a complete squad, while Mansfield may have been affected by their recent struggles.
The market had priced Ball State with a home win probability of 1.0, reflecting their expected dominance in this matchup. This was evident as they executed their game plan effectively, showcasing their offensive depth and defensive resilience.
Conditions at Worthen Arena were favorable for the Cardinals, and the home crowd likely played a role in energizing the team. Viewers were treated to a display of skillful basketball, with key players stepping up to ensure a comfortable victory.
Overall, the game served as a strong statement for Ball State as they look to build momentum early in the season, while Mansfield will need to regroup and address their issues as they head into their next contest.
Leaders
- PointsArmoni Zeigler20Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsDavion Hill4Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsArmoni Zeigler9Ball State Cardinals
- PointsSterling Scott17Mansfield Mountaineers
- AssistsJuJu Pagan4Mansfield Mountaineers
- ReboundsSterling Scott8Mansfield Mountaineers
Recent form
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 5-5Streak W174 scored · 73.6 allowed per game5-2 at home
- W75-64vs Louisiana Ragin' CajunsNov 4
- L66-79at Miami (OH) RedHawksMar 7
- L67-69vs Central Michigan ChippewasMar 5
- L52-61at Bowling Green FalconsMar 1
- L82-87vs Akron ZipsFeb 26
- W80-66vs Buffalo BullsFeb 22
- L66-67at Toledo RocketsFeb 19
- W89-83vs Northern Illinois HuskiesFeb 15
- W86-84vs Eastern Michigan EaglesFeb 12
- W77-76vs Southern Miss Golden EaglesFeb 8
Mansfield Mountaineers
1 game: 0-1Streak L154 scored · 76 allowed per game0-1 away
- L54-76at St. Bonaventure BonniesNov 21
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 | Mansfield Mountaineers | Ball State Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 20-53 | 32-63 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 2-18 | 6-23 |
| Three-point % | 11 | 26 |
| Free throws | 12-22 | 14-27 |
| Free throw % | 55 | 52 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 32 |
| Assists | 8 | 14 |
| Steals | 9 | 11 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 21 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 25 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 19 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 50 |
| Fouls | 22 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 1 | 30 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half30-34Kayden Fish made Layup. Assisted by Devon Barnes.
- 2nd Half30-35Devon Barnes made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half30-38Devon Barnes made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kayden Fish.
- 2nd Half32-38Sterling Scott made Jumper.
- 2nd Half32-41Kayden Fish made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Davion Hill.
- 2nd Half34-41Diarmid Stewart made Layup.
- 2nd Half37-41Sterling Scott made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half37-43Cam Denson made Layup.
- 2nd Half37-44Cam Denson made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half39-44Sterling Scott made Layup.
- 2nd Half39-46Armoni Zeigler made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half39-48Armoni Zeigler made Jumper.
- 2nd Half40-48Jackson Henry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half42-48JuJu Pagan made Jumper. Assisted by Jackson Henry.
- 2nd Half43-48Julian Wilson made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half45-48Jackson Henry made Jumper.
- 2nd Half46-48Jackson Henry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half46-50Elmore James IV made Jumper.
- 2nd Half46-52Armoni Zeigler made Layup.
- 2nd Half48-52Diarmid Stewart made Jumper. Assisted by JuJu Pagan.
- 2nd Half48-53Cam Denson made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half48-54Cam Denson made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half48-56Armoni Zeigler made Layup. Assisted by Elmore James IV.
- 2nd Half48-58Davion Hill made Layup.
- 2nd Half48-60Armoni Zeigler made Layup.
- 2nd Half50-60Sterling Scott made Jumper.
- 2nd Half50-62Elmore James IV made Layup. Assisted by Davion Hill.
- 2nd Half50-64Kayden Fish made Jumper.
- 2nd Half52-64Diarmid Stewart made Jumper. Assisted by JuJu Pagan.
- 2nd Half52-67Devon Barnes made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Davion Hill.
- 2nd Half52-70Elmore James IV made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Juwan Maxey.
- 2nd Half52-72Elmore James IV made Jumper. Assisted by Armoni Zeigler.
- 2nd Half53-72Diarmid Stewart made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half54-72Diarmid Stewart made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half54-74Mason Jones made Layup. Assisted by Juwan Maxey.
- 2nd Half54-77Juwan Maxey made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Elmore James IV.
- 2nd Half54-79Devon Barnes made Layup.
- 2nd Half54-80Devon Barnes made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half54-82Jai Anthoni Bearden made Jumper. Assisted by Easton Foster.
- 2nd Half54-84Easton Foster made Layup.
Win probability
Above the line favours Ball State Cardinals, below favours Mansfield Mountaineers.
Venue
- Worthen ArenaMuncie, IN
- Attendance2605
- OfficialsTodd Von Sossan, Galen Durant, Kyle Bowen
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond