Neither team could gain the advantage in the first half, until Ball State’s Francis Kiapway heated up late and helped lead the Cardinals to a 47-40 halftime lead.
Braylon Rayson scored 16 in the first half for the Chippewas to keep them in striking distance.
Early in the second half, Ball State started to edge their lead up before Marcus Keene heated up and knocked down a couple threes to keep the Chippewas in it. The Cardinals led 57-51 with 15:48 left in the game. As a team, they were hitting 60% from the field, and 53.