Ball State Edges Massachusetts in Overtime Thriller
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Worthen Arena
Ball State Cardinals 74, Massachusetts Minutemen 73, 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 Massachusetts Minutemen vs Ball State Cardinals?
Ball State Cardinals beat Massachusetts Minutemen 74-73 at Worthen Arena on February 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Massachusetts Minutemen vs Ball State Cardinals?
Massachusetts Minutemen were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a gripping showdown, the Ball State Cardinals triumphed over the Massachusetts Minutemen with a final score of 74-73 after an intense overtime period. This game, held at Worthen Arena, showcased the resilience of the Cardinals, who have struggled throughout the season but managed to pull off a crucial victory against a competitive opponent.
Both teams entered this matchup with similar records in their last ten games, each posting a 4-6 record. However, the Cardinals were on a four-game losing streak, while the Minutemen also faced challenges, having lost their last four games. The Cardinals averaged 62.5 points scored and allowed 69.4 points during their last ten games, while the Minutemen had a higher scoring average of 81.1 but also allowed 82.6 points.
At home, Ball State had a record of 2-3 in their last five games, while Massachusetts struggled on the road with an away record of 1-4. The previous meeting between these two teams this season saw Massachusetts defeat Ball State 79-71 on January 10, 2026, indicating that the Cardinals were eager to turn the tables in this rematch.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences affecting either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters. This factor likely contributed to the competitiveness of the game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Massachusetts favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The odds reflected the Minutemen's slightly better overall record of 15-14 compared to the Cardinals' 9-19.
The game conditions were conducive to a thrilling contest, with both teams displaying high energy and determination. As the match progressed, it became evident that every possession mattered, leading to a tightly contested battle.
In overtime, the scoring was intense, with both teams exchanging leads. Key plays included a driving layup by Davion Hill, which put Ball State ahead, and a clutch three-pointer by Isaiah Placide that briefly gave Massachusetts the lead. However, it was Armoni Zeigler's driving layup that sealed the victory for the Cardinals, showcasing the importance of clutch performances in high-stakes moments.
Overall, this game not only provided a thrilling conclusion but also highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball, where every game can shift momentum and alter the course of a season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MASS -3.5 | 143.5 o -105 / u -115 | Massachusetts Minutemen -192 · Ball State Cardinals +160 |
Leaders
- PointsDavion Hill26Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsArmoni Zeigler5Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsPreston Copeland9Ball State Cardinals
- PointsIsaiah Placide19Massachusetts Minutemen
- AssistsDanny Carbuccia5Massachusetts Minutemen
- ReboundsLeonardo Bettiol14Massachusetts Minutemen
Recent form
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 4-6Streak L462.5 scored · 69.4 allowed per game2-3 at home
- 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
- W58-53vs Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 24
- W68-67at Central Michigan ChippewasJan 21
- W76-71vs Ohio BobcatsJan 17
Massachusetts Minutemen
Last 10: 4-6Streak L481.1 scored · 82.6 allowed per game1-4 away
- L82-86vs Buffalo BullsFeb 21
- L77-86vs Miami (OH) RedHawksFeb 18
- L92-99at Akron ZipsFeb 14
- L91-94at Coastal Carolina ChanticleersFeb 7
- W95-89vs Central Michigan ChippewasFeb 4
- W70-67vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 31
- L84-86at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 28
- W68-67at Buffalo BullsJan 24
- W84-82vs Toledo RocketsJan 20
- L68-70at Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 17
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 | Massachusetts Minutemen | Ball State Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-69 | 25-70 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 36 |
| Three-pointers | 8-27 | 6-28 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 21 |
| Free throws | 13-16 | 18-22 |
| Free throw % | 81 | 82 |
| Rebounds | 49 | 41 |
| Offensive rebounds | 18 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 25 |
| Assists | 14 | 12 |
| Steals | 4 | 6 |
| Blocks | 5 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 38 |
| Fouls | 21 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 18 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 82 | 10 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-33Isaiah Placide makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-35Davion Hill makes layup (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half53-35K'Jei Parker makes 14-foot pullup jump shot (Danny Carbuccia assists)
- 2nd Half53-38Davion Hill makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-40Davion Hill makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-41Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half54-41Isaiah Placide makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-42Kayden Fish makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-43Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-44Davion Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-44Marcus Banks Jr. makes 16-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half56-46Kayden Fish makes layup
- 2nd Half56-47Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-48Davion Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-50Davion Hill makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-52Elmore James IV makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half57-52Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-52Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-54Davion Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-57Mason Jones makes 24-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half58-58Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-59Davion Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-61Kayden Fish makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half61-61Isaiah Placide makes 29-foot three pointer
- OT61-63Kayden Fish makes layup (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- OT62-63Jayden Ndjigue makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT63-63Jayden Ndjigue makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT63-65Davion Hill makes 6-foot floating jump shot
- OT65-65Danny Carbuccia makes driving layup
- OT65-68Armoni Zeigler makes 25-foot three point jumper
- OT66-68Isaiah Placide makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT67-68Isaiah Placide makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT67-70Davion Hill makes driving layup
- OT67-71Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT67-72Kayden Fish makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT69-72Isaiah Placide makes driving layup
- OT70-72Isaiah Placide makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT73-72Isaiah Placide makes 23-foot three point jumper (Danny Carbuccia assists)
- OT73-74Armoni Zeigler makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Ball State Cardinals, below favours Massachusetts Minutemen.
Venue
- Worthen ArenaMuncie, IN
- Attendance2396
- OfficialsMike Littlewood, Todd Von Sossan, Geoff Vejsicky
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