Persons, El-Amin help Ball State sweep Toledo 99-71

Feb 18, 2018, 08:51 am

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tayler Persons and Ishmael El-Amin scored 18 points apiece and Ball State led the entire game to throw some cold water on red-hot Toledo, sweeping the Rockets 99-71 on Saturday.

Persons opened the game with a layup and Ball State charged out to a 10-0 lead and didn't let Toledo -- which had only lost twice since Jan. 2 -- get closer than four points.

Tahjai Teague added 16 points with 12 rebounds and Zach Gunn made 4 of 5 3-point shots to also score 16 points for Ball State (18-9, 9-5 Mid-American Conference). The Cardinals won the boards 39-35, outscored Toledo 44-24 in the paint and had seven steals, forcing 14 Toledo turnovers while only committing six.

Toledo (19-8, 11-3) had fallen to Ball State on Jan. 30 and, after Saturday's game, is but two games ahead of the Cardinals in the MAC's West Division. Ball State is 6-1 in its last seven games. Toledo is chasing its first regular-season MAC title since the 2013-14 season.

Luke Knapke led the Rockets with 17 points. Tre'Shaun Fletcher added 15 with eight rebounds.