MUNCIE, Ind. — In an exciting overtime showdown, Juanse Gorosito delivered a stellar performance with 24 points, while Mickey Pearson Jr. contributed crucial points in the extra period to help Ball State triumph over Northern Illinois with a final score of 89-83 on Saturday.
Gorosito showcased his all-around skills by adding seven rebounds to his scoring tally for the Cardinals, who now hold a record of 13 wins and 12 losses, including 6 wins and 6 losses in the Mid-American Conference. Pearson, despite challenging shooting numbers—hitting only 2 of his 11 attempts from the floor and 1 of 4 from deep—finished strong at the charity stripe with 10 out of 11 free throws, contributing 15 points and securing five rebounds as well. Jeremiah Hernandez played a significant role too, converting 5 of 7 shots from the field to score 14 points.
For the Huskies, Quentin Jones was the standout player, leading his team with 21 points, along with nine rebounds and six assists. James Dent Jr. also made a significant impact by scoring 20 points, while Tsvet Sotirov added 14 points to the mix. Unfortunately for Northern Illinois, this game extended their losing streak to six games.
As the clock wound down, Jones strategically made a pair of free throws with just one second remaining, tying the game at 76 and sending it into overtime.
In the first half, Hernandez was key for Ball State, racking up 10 points and helping the team establish a comfortable 38-20 lead at halftime. However, the second half was a different story as Ball State was outscored by 18 points. During the overtime period, Pearson proved valuable, going 1 for 1 from the floor and sinking 3 of 4 from the foul line.
Looking ahead, both teams prepare to return to the court on Tuesday; Ball State is set to face Toledo, while Northern Illinois will head to Akron for their next match.
