MUNCIE, Ind. — If Ball State plays like this once the Mid-American Conference slate begins, it will be just fine and be in position to contend for a league title as many believe this team has the potential to do.
The Cardinals' 87-83 loss Wednesday night at Bucknell will sting in a similar manner as the last-second loss at Dayton in the season opener, but the bottom line is that they played well against a very good team's arena.
Tayler Persons' joined the 1,000-point club with two late free throws and led Ball State (1-4) with 21 points, while Zach Gunn scored a career-high 13.