Miami (OH) RedHawks Defeat Ball State Cardinals 86-77
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2:00 PM ET · Worthen Arena
Miami (OH) RedHawks 86, Ball State Cardinals 77, 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 Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Ball State Cardinals?
Miami (OH) RedHawks beat Ball State Cardinals 86-77 at Worthen Arena on December 20, 2025.
Who was favored in Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Ball State Cardinals?
Miami (OH) RedHawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -360 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
In an engaging NCAAB matchup, the Miami (OH) RedHawks secured an 86-77 victory over the Ball State Cardinals at Worthen Arena. This game showcased the stark contrast between the two teams' recent performances, with Miami maintaining an impressive undefeated record of 12-0, while Ball State struggled with a 3-9 record.
The RedHawks came into the game riding a ten-game winning streak, having averaged 92.8 points per game while allowing 69.4 points over their last ten outings. Their most recent game saw them triumph over the Wright State Raiders with a score of 83-76, further solidifying their dominance this season. In contrast, the Cardinals had lost three consecutive games, averaging just 63.9 points scored and 69.9 points allowed during their last ten games. Their last match ended in a 64-69 loss against the Campbell Fighting Camels.
At home, Ball State's record stood at 2-3, while they struggled significantly on the road with an 0-5 record. Miami, on the other hand, boasted a perfect away record of 5-0, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure regardless of the venue. The two teams had met twice earlier in the season, with Miami winning both encounters, 80-72 at Ball State and 79-66 at home.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details, but the contrasting form of the two teams suggested that Miami was in a stronger position heading into the game. The betting market reflected this sentiment, with DraftKings listing Miami (OH) as 7.5-point favorites, indicating a strong belief in their ability to win decisively. The total for the game was set at 147.5, with odds of -115 for the over and -105 for the under, suggesting that a high-scoring affair was anticipated.
The game conditions were typical for a winter evening in December, with both teams needing to adapt to the indoor arena's environment. As the game progressed, viewers could observe key moments, including Elmore James IV's pivotal three-point jumper that extended Miami's lead, and several crucial free throws that sealed the victory in the closing moments.
Ultimately, Miami's offensive firepower and defensive resilience proved too much for Ball State, who struggled to keep pace throughout the game. The final score of 86-77 highlighted Miami's continued dominance in the season, while Ball State will need to regroup as they look to improve their form moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | M-OH -7.5 | 147.5 o -115 / u -105 | Miami (OH) RedHawks -360 · Ball State Cardinals +285 |
Leaders
- PointsElmore James IV20Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsDevon Barnes4Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsArmoni Zeigler8Ball State Cardinals
- PointsAlmar Atlason26Miami (OH) RedHawks
- AssistsPeter Suder5Miami (OH) RedHawks
- ReboundsEian Elmer7Miami (OH) RedHawks
Recent form
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 2-8Streak L363.9 scored · 69.9 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L64-69at Campbell Fighting CamelsDec 14
- L64-68vs South Dakota State JackrabbitsDec 10
- L52-64at Evansville Purple AcesDec 4
- W96-85vs Le Moyne DolphinsNov 30
- L37-55at Lafayette LeopardsNov 29
- L73-80vs Monmouth HawksNov 28
- L52-70at Indiana State SycamoresNov 23
- L62-68vs Little Rock TrojansNov 16
- L55-86at Wisconsin BadgersNov 12
- W84-54vs Mansfield MountaineersNov 8
Miami (OH) RedHawks
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1092.8 scored · 69.4 allowed per game5-0 away
- W83-76at Wright State RaidersDec 17
- W79-69at Eastern Kentucky ColonelsDec 13
- W90-87at UNC Asheville BulldogsDec 10
- W93-61vs Maine Black BearsDec 6
- W109-65vs IU East IU EASTDec 3
- W82-71at UNC Greensboro SpartansNov 26
- W111-84vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsNov 23
- W76-71vs Mercyhurst LakersNov 21
- W76-61at Air Force FalconsNov 15
- W129-49vs Trinity Christian TrollsNov 8
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 | Miami (OH) RedHawks | Ball State Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-52 | 28-57 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 13-24 | 7-21 |
| Three-point % | 54 | 33 |
| Free throws | 21-22 | 14-18 |
| Free throw % | 95 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 24 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 20 |
| Assists | 16 | 16 |
| Steals | 1 | 8 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 21 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 40 |
| Fouls | 16 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 67 | 28 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half54-47Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-47Eian Elmer makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-47Eian Elmer makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-49Armoni Zeigler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-49Antwone Woolfolk makes layup
- 2nd Half58-50Elmore James IV makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-51Elmore James IV makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53Elmore James IV makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-56Kayden Fish makes 26-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half59-56Brant Byers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-56Brant Byers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Elmore James IV makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half61-58Eian Elmer makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-58Eian Elmer makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-58Almar Atlason makes 28-foot three point jumper (Peter Suder assists)
- 2nd Half65-60Kayden Fish makes 5-foot jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half65-62Kayden Fish makes driving layup
- 2nd Half67-62Eian Elmer makes 5-foot jumper (Peter Suder assists)
- 2nd Half69-62Almar Atlason makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-62Almar Atlason makes 6-foot jumper (Luke Skaljac assists)
- 2nd Half71-65Davion Hill makes 25-foot three point jumper (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half74-65Almar Atlason makes 26-foot three point jumper (Luke Skaljac assists)
- 2nd Half77-65Almar Atlason makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kyle Waltz assists)
- 2nd Half78-65Almar Atlason makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half79-65Almar Atlason makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half79-67Jai Anthoni Bearden makes layup
- 2nd Half79-68Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-69Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-70Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-71Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-71Almar Atlason makes 5-foot dunk
- 2nd Half82-71Almar Atlason makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half82-74Elmore James IV makes 26-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half82-75Elmore James IV makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-76Elmore James IV makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half83-76Brant Byers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half84-76Brant Byers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-77Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half85-77Luke Skaljac makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-77Luke Skaljac makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Ball State Cardinals, below favours Miami (OH) RedHawks.
Venue
- Worthen ArenaMuncie, IN
- Attendance3503
- OfficialsChris Beaver, Mark Riggs, Mason Siler
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- 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
Picks for NCAAB
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- Miami (OH) Dominates Ball State in Final ClashNov 29, 2025