SPORTS

Freshman center Payton Sparks looks to pass to a teammate in a game against Akron March 1 at Worthen Arena. Sparks had six rebounds during the game. Amber Pietz, DN

Men's Basketball 3/16/2022, 1:53pm

Payton Sparks to enter transfer portal

By Staff Reports

Following the departure of Ball State men’s basketball head coach James Whitford, standout freshman center Payton Sparks announced via a Twitter post that he intends to enter the transfer portal.

Members of the Ball State Women's Basketball team celebrate after senior Blake Smith hits a three-pointer in their game against Eastern Michigan University Mar. 5 at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals rotated their entire bench into the line up on Senior Night. Eli Houser, DN

basketball 3/16/2022, 12:00pm

Unselfish approach: Ball State Women’s Basketball reflects on its cultural development and close bonds after earning WNIT berth

By Kyle Smedley

Ball State’s roster fluctuated throughout the offseason and regular season. Three freshmen joined the Cardinals, three seniors graduated, multiple players transferred and players got injured, including redshirt junior Anna Clephane. Sallee said the Cardinals’ ability to adapt and overcome adversity was one of the stories of the season. 

Freshman infielder Zach Lane, senior left-handed pitcher Lukas Jaksich and junior first baseman Trenton Quartermaine celebrate after an inning March 20, 2021, at First Merchants Ballpark. The Cardinals won their second game of the day 3-2 against Western Michigan. Jaden Whiteman, DN

Baseball 3/14/2022, 8:50pm

Ball State wins 3 of 4 against Eastern Michigan

By Kyle Smedley

 On March 13, Ball State defeated Eastern Michigan (3-10, 1-3 MAC) in both games of the doubleheader. Junior transfer catcher/designated hitter Matthew Rivera personified Maloney’s description of the Cardinals attitude.  

Kaleb Jenness hits the ball against Hawaii on Jan. 29, 2022, at Worthen Arena in Muncie, IN. Jenness had 19 kills during the game. Amber Pietz, DN

volleyball 3/12/2022, 8:53pm

Ball State completes East Coast trip, wins 4th straight

By Daniel Kehn

Senior outside hitter Kaleb Jenness hit double-digit kills for the second consecutive match and recorded a team-high three aces. Jenness has consistently ranked top three in the nation in both attack attempts per set and kills per set this season.

Freshman Ally Becki dribbles the ball on Feb. 16, at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals fell to the Bulls, 67-62. Madelyn Guinn, DN

Basketball 3/12/2022, 5:31pm

Cardinals fall to Buffalo in the MAC Championship

By Kyle Smedley

 As the final buzzer sounded, Ball State Women’s Basketball came short in winning their first Mid-American Conference [MAC] Championship since 2009. Instead, Buffalo won the championship and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with their 79-75 win.  

Freshman center Payton Sparks dunks the ball into the basket in a game against Eastern Michigan Feb. 26 at Worthen Arena. Amber Pietz, DN

Basketball 3/10/2022, 10:36pm

3 takeaways from Ball State's quarterfinal loss to Ohio

By Daniel Kehn

 No. 6 seed Ball State Men’s Basketball, played their final game of the 2022 season March 10, falling to No. 3 seeded Ohio University in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament. Here are three takeaways from the loss.  

FILE - Duke players celebrate after the NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament game against Wisconsin in Indianapolis, in this Monday, April 6, 2015, file photo. The NCAA announced Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, it plans to hold the entire 2021 men's college basketball tournament in one geographic location to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and is in talks with Indianapolis to be the host city (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

basketball 3/7/2022, 3:00pm

Hubert: March Madness is the best event in sports

By Corbin Hubert

If you have never been a fan of March Madness, I encourage you to watch the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Even if you do not like sports, the emotion from the players and the stories developed over March is like some form of scripted TV, but it isn’t.