GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference action will take place this afternoon when they Ball State Cardinals host the Miami-Ohio RedHawks at Worthen Arena. It has been an up and down side for the RedHawks thus far, but the team enters this game with wins in three of its last four matchups. The last time Miami was on the court the team grabbed a 66-51 victory over Northern Illinois. The current hot streak has helped the RedHawks push their league mark to 3-4 on the year. As for the Cardinals, they have been dreadful all season, losing 16 of their 19 games on the year. BSU comes into this matchup with three consecutive losses, including a tough, 63-53 setback to Bowling green this past Wednesday. The current skid has dropped the Cardinals to just 2-5 in MAC action. All three wins for Ball State this season have come at the Worthen Arena. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the RedHawks hold a commanding, 55-35 edge over Ball State. Miami has won seven consecutive meetings with the Cardinals, including a 66-44 victory last year.

Miami is sensational at the defensive end of the court this season, and is currently limiting teams to just 60.5 ppg. Miami's tough defensive play continued this past Wednesday, as the squad held NIU to just 51 points in a 15-point victory. The RedHawks limited NIU to a 35.8 percent shooting effort and just 1-of-13 from long range. At the other end of the court the team was paced by Kenny Hayes, who scored 25 points. Tim Pollitz added 19 points and also grabbed seven rebounds in the win. Pollitz has been the top performer for Miami all season and is currently leading the team with 16.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg. As a team, the RedHawks have struggled a bit offensively, netting just 60.3 ppg.

Ball State's nightmare of a season can be attributed to the team's inconsistent play offensively. Ball State is currently averaging just 56.6 ppg, and is shooting 39.1 percent from the floor. Anthony Newell and Peyton Stovall are averaging more than double of the rest of the team's production. Newell heads into this game netting 18.6 ppg, and is also grabbing 7.3 rpg. Peyton Stovall is contributed 13.9 ppg, while also pulling down 6.3 rpg. The offensively woes for Ball State continued in its recent 10-point loss to Bowling Green earlier this week. In the setback, BSU shot just 33.3 percent from the field and made just 5-of-18 shots from behind the arc. Melvin Goins led the way with 18 points, while Newell contributed 14 points despite shooting just 4-of-13 from the floor. As for Stovall, he tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Neither team has performed well offensively. However, the RedHawks are extremely tough defensively, and that is why they will most likely win this afternoon.