Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, March 6
Muncie, Ind./Worthen Arena
7:00 PM
Central Michigan University
10-21,6-12MAC
69
at
85
Ball State
12-19,7-11MAC
1
2
F
Central Mich.
26
43
69
Ball St.
42
43
85
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
FG%
.518
.582
3FG%
.250
.391
FT%
.533
.632
RB
29
28
TO
12
12
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Kailey Hill '26 - @rahsignz
Chippewas Fall to Ball State in Regular Season Finale 85-69
3/6/2026 10:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball
2025-26 men’s basketball season ends in Muncie; Phat Phat Brooks leads Central Michigan with 17 points, Nathan Claerbaut scores 16, and Tamario Adley added 11.
MUNCIE, Ind.—Davion Hill scored 25 points and Ball State hit 11 consecutive field goals to close out the first half as it built a 16-point halftime lead, then held off the Central Michigan men's basketball team for an 85-69 win in the regular season finale Friday evening at Worthen Arena.
Central Michigan concludes its 2025-26 season with a 10-21 overall record and a 10th place finish in the MAC with a 6-12 record. Ball State finishes 12-19 overall and in ninth place in the MAC at 7-11. In order to advance to the 2026 MAC Tournament, Central Michigan needed a win over Ball State coupled with a Buffalo loss at Toledo. Toledo defeated Buffalo 98-78.
Hill converted 10 of 15 field goals, 3-4 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds. Kayden Fish finished with 15 points (7-10 FG), Devon Barnes added 14 points, and Armoni Zeigler contributed 10 points.
The matchup marked the final collegiate game for four Central Michigan seniors: Tamario Adley, Nathan Claerbaut, Logan McIntire, and Nick Mullen. Phat Phat Brooks led the Chippewas with 17 points (8-16 FG), Claerbaut scored 16 points (7-10 FG), and Adley finished with 11 points and a team-high six assists.
"Ball State had it rolling, they were playing loose and we were playing a little tight," Central Michigan head coach Andy Bronkema said. "Those are things you have to manage, train, and feel. They imposed their will tonight. That's what they did. For us, we couldn't get downhill. They were real physical. I give them a lot of credit. They were really good tonight. We just didn't have it today."
"What a league we're in, they won their last four and they can't get into the tournament. They're hot and playing their best basketball too."
Already eliminated from postseason competition and playing at home on Senior Night, Ball State shot 72.7 percent (16-22) from the floor and converted 11 straight field goals to end the first half in building a commanding 16-point halftime advantage (42-26).
The Cardinals used a 7-0 run to take an early 10-4 lead, then put together a 6-0 run to go up 20-9 on a hook shot by Jones at the 7:46 mark.
Then Ball State heated up from the floor as it hit 11 consecutive field goals to close out the half. The Cardinals went up 32-18 on back-to-back driving layups and a steal by Hill at the 3:34 mark. Armani Zeigler swished a 3-pointer for a 35-20 lead at the 2:45 mark.
A technical foul gave the Cardinals two more points and Copeland followed with a layup for their largest lead of the half, 42-24, with 45 seconds remaining in the half.
At one point Ball State converted 20-24 field goals and led by as many as 21 points with 12:54 to play.
In the second half, Central Michigan shot 63 percent (17-27) and made a run at the Cardinals. The Chippewas put together an 8-0 run to cut the deficit down to 13 points (63-50) with 9:57 on a Logan McIntire 3-pointer. CMU could get no closer as the Chippewas cut the deficit to 13 points several times later in the game.
Ball State won each of its last four games and swept Central Michigan in its two-game series as the Cardinals defeated the Chippewas 68-67 on Jan. 20 in Mount Pleasant.
Bronkema spoke about coaching his four seniors.
"Our seniors got challenged on a whole other level this year and they met the challenge the best they could and they grew," Bronkema said. "I'm super happy to have coached them. They signed up for a vision and a dream. We laid it out clear, we pursued it and these are the results that we got. They are the building blocks. When the nets are being cut down and the tournament's being made, they will feel pride when they're wearing their gear in the next phase of their life. Each one of those guys has a great story, I'm proud of them and I love them."
"I'm proud of the effort that the coaches put in to stay positive every day. I'm proud of the team. I do believe that they could be satisfied that they gave their best to be their best. This is a chance to show our true character and learn from it."
"Every year is a different team. This team was unique in a lot of ways. We had a lot of good memories, a lot of good moments, and some heartache. We packed it in this year."
Central Michigan concludes its 2025-26 season with a 10-21 overall record and a 10th place finish in the MAC with a 6-12 record. Ball State finishes 12-19 overall and in ninth place in the MAC at 7-11. In order to advance to the 2026 MAC Tournament, Central Michigan needed a win over Ball State coupled with a Buffalo loss at Toledo. Toledo defeated Buffalo 98-78.
Hill converted 10 of 15 field goals, 3-4 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds. Kayden Fish finished with 15 points (7-10 FG), Devon Barnes added 14 points, and Armoni Zeigler contributed 10 points.
The matchup marked the final collegiate game for four Central Michigan seniors: Tamario Adley, Nathan Claerbaut, Logan McIntire, and Nick Mullen. Phat Phat Brooks led the Chippewas with 17 points (8-16 FG), Claerbaut scored 16 points (7-10 FG), and Adley finished with 11 points and a team-high six assists.
"Ball State had it rolling, they were playing loose and we were playing a little tight," Central Michigan head coach Andy Bronkema said. "Those are things you have to manage, train, and feel. They imposed their will tonight. That's what they did. For us, we couldn't get downhill. They were real physical. I give them a lot of credit. They were really good tonight. We just didn't have it today."
"What a league we're in, they won their last four and they can't get into the tournament. They're hot and playing their best basketball too."
Already eliminated from postseason competition and playing at home on Senior Night, Ball State shot 72.7 percent (16-22) from the floor and converted 11 straight field goals to end the first half in building a commanding 16-point halftime advantage (42-26).
The Cardinals used a 7-0 run to take an early 10-4 lead, then put together a 6-0 run to go up 20-9 on a hook shot by Jones at the 7:46 mark.
Then Ball State heated up from the floor as it hit 11 consecutive field goals to close out the half. The Cardinals went up 32-18 on back-to-back driving layups and a steal by Hill at the 3:34 mark. Armani Zeigler swished a 3-pointer for a 35-20 lead at the 2:45 mark.
A technical foul gave the Cardinals two more points and Copeland followed with a layup for their largest lead of the half, 42-24, with 45 seconds remaining in the half.
At one point Ball State converted 20-24 field goals and led by as many as 21 points with 12:54 to play.
In the second half, Central Michigan shot 63 percent (17-27) and made a run at the Cardinals. The Chippewas put together an 8-0 run to cut the deficit down to 13 points (63-50) with 9:57 on a Logan McIntire 3-pointer. CMU could get no closer as the Chippewas cut the deficit to 13 points several times later in the game.
Ball State won each of its last four games and swept Central Michigan in its two-game series as the Cardinals defeated the Chippewas 68-67 on Jan. 20 in Mount Pleasant.
Bronkema spoke about coaching his four seniors.
"Our seniors got challenged on a whole other level this year and they met the challenge the best they could and they grew," Bronkema said. "I'm super happy to have coached them. They signed up for a vision and a dream. We laid it out clear, we pursued it and these are the results that we got. They are the building blocks. When the nets are being cut down and the tournament's being made, they will feel pride when they're wearing their gear in the next phase of their life. Each one of those guys has a great story, I'm proud of them and I love them."
"I'm proud of the effort that the coaches put in to stay positive every day. I'm proud of the team. I do believe that they could be satisfied that they gave their best to be their best. This is a chance to show our true character and learn from it."
"Every year is a different team. This team was unique in a lot of ways. We had a lot of good memories, a lot of good moments, and some heartache. We packed it in this year."
—CMU—
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Thursday, March 05
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Monday, February 23
Men's Basketball Western Hype
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Nathan Claerbaut Video Feature
Wednesday, February 18