Though Ball State head coach Michael Lewis has publicly criticized his team this season, the last two games have had the third-year Cardinals’ head coach in a better mood.

First, it was last week’s 86-82 win at Bellarmine and now, it was today’s 80-43 – the Cardinals' lowest point total allowed – victory over the visiting Evansville Purple Aces. What changed? To Lewis, guys are getting out of their own way and playing as a unit.

“As crazy as it sounds, we've had to practice communication and talking,” he said. “I thought that was much better, especially in the first half.”

The last two games have featured a new starting lineup which featured junior guard Jemahri Hill, junior guard Juanse Gorosito, sophomore forward Mason Jones, graduate student guard Jeremiah Hernandez and redhirt senior Ben Hendriks. But Lewis said it doesn't matter who starts.

“I think the two least important things in basketball are the starting lineup and the halftime score,” he said.

But while the starting lineup – Hill had 13 points, eight rebounds and three dunks – has managed to play well, so has the bench. Senior center Payton Sparks – who started the first nine games of the season and was named to the preseason All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) First Team – was one of those sent to the bench.

In today’s win over the Purple Aces, he looked recharged, leading the Cardinals (5-6) with 20 points – a season high – and was 10-for-12 at the free throw line.

“At this point in the season, we're trying to find ways to win,” Sparks said. “I just wanted to help the team. [Whether] it’s defense or scoring, whatever, my teammates put me in good spots.”

The Cardinals have only played three games in December, and because of that, the red and white have spent much of their time together during practice. Lewis has used this to work out the kinks and figure out how to get Ball State in the win column.

“I think we're developing some consistency too,” Lewis said. “Both collectively and individually. We've tried to create some situations in practice to turn up the heat and raise the competition to see what that looks like. We've had guys respond, so I couldn't be happier with how we’ve competed.”

Most of the intensity has been focused on defense, according to Hill. In today's game, his defensive play was noticed as he notched four steals – a season high – and a block.

“[It’s] been our focus in practice. This whole month has been defense, defense and defense,” he said. “So I just had to put a little more energy into that today… It's just really doing whatever it takes to win.”

With the Cardinals winning their second set of back-to-back wins this season, it’s something the team isn’t taking lightly. After the loss to SIU Edwardsville Dec. 8, Hendriks – who had 10 points and four rebounds against the Purple Aces – said the Cardinals needed ‘a fire’ to spread through the entire team. Lewis thinks winning is the one way to light a spark.

“Anytime you win, it builds confidence [and] I think confidence can build winning. It goes back and forth,” Lewis said. “I think we were able to learn some things, especially some things that we have to correct… Learning what winning plays are, what losing plays are and how to eliminate the losing plays.”

The Cardinals will play their final non-MAC game Tuesday, Dec. 31 against Anderson in Muncie. While there are things Lewis wants his team to work on for that game, there’s one thing that takes precedence over basketball: the holiday season.

“I’m just trying to get to Christmas,” Lewis said, chuckling. “...They’ve earned this time off.”

Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or via X @ZachCarter85.

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