GAME NOTES: Two of the worst teams in the Mid-American Conference will collide this evening when the Buffalo Bulls host the Ball State Cardinals at Alumni Arena. It has been a nightmare of a season for Ball State, which has won only three times in 22 games. The team is currently riding a six-game losing skid which includes a 70-61 setback to Akron this past Saturday. Inside conference action, the Cardinals have also struggled, posting a mere 2-7 ledger. As for the Bulls, they grabbed their second consecutive win by defeating Eastern Michigan, 68-64. The two wins were the first conference victories of the season for Buffalo, which is now 2-8 in the MAC. The Bulls have just eight wins on the year, but five have come at Alumni Arena. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, the Cardinals have a slim, 9-6 edge over Buffalo.

The horrendous season for Ball State is largely attributed to the team's play offensively. The Cardinals are netting just 56.9 ppg on the season, while shooting a laughable 39.2 percent from the floor. Anthony Newell has only played 13 games, but while in action the forward has led the team with 18.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Peyton Stovall is the only other player averaging double figures, and comes into this matchup with 12.8 ppg. The last time the Cardinals were on the court the team stumbled against Akron, falling to the Zips by a 70-61 margin. Ball State shot 44.4 percent from the floor, but made just 1-of-9 three-point attempts. Rashaun McLemore led the way with 16 points, while Anthony Newell contributed 13 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.

The Bulls have not been as bad offensively as their counterpart, but the squad has dealt with consistency issues at that end of the floor. The Bulls are scoring 71.0 ppg on the season, while shooting just 40.8 percent overall. Andy Robinson is the only player netting double figures for Buffalo, as the guard is producing 12.7 ppg, despite shooting below 40.0 percent from the floor. The last time Buffalo was on the court the team scored just 68 points, but it was enough to slip past Eastern Michigan by a four-point margin.The Bulls shot 44.6 percent from the field in the win and won the battle on the glass by a 39-32 margin. Calvin Betts led the way by scoring 14 points and collecting 12 rebounds in a reserve role. Byron Mulkey added 12 points, while Robinson struggled, netting just seven points.

The Bulls have plenty of problems this season, but lately the team has put forth a solid effort at both ends of the floor. Expect more of the same tonight, as Buffalo should slip past a weaker Ball State squad.