Sophomore forward Kyle Mallers posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Francis Kiapway and Sean Sellers also scored 11.
Ball State (8-4) shook off . . .
“They’re very different than what you normally see (defensively),” Ball State head coach James Whitford said. “They’re very good at turning people over. I thought that was an adjustment for us, and it just took us a little while to get accustomed to what they were doing. We were much better in the second half.”
Ball State made 13 of 23 shots in the second half and connected on 6 of 12 from beyond the arc. After committing 11 first-half turnovers, the Cardinals gave it away only five times after the break. Jackson State (3-10) ranks in the top 30 nationally in steals.
The score was tied at 19 a little more than 15 minutes into game before Ball State started to find its way offensively. Kiapway drained a pair of 3-pointers as part of an 8-0 run to put the Cardinals in front for good.
Ball State went on to outscore Jackson State 33-14 over the next 14-plus minutes to open up its largest lead at 52-33 midway through the second half. From there, the lead was never closer than 14 points.
“The first half in particular was frustrating for us, and I thought we kind of hung in and kept fighting all the way through,” Whitford said. “I thought it was a good win. I told our guys I was proud of them.”
Junior center Trey Moses led the way on the glass with 11 boards as Ball State outrebounded Jackson State 39-26.
The Cardinals held Jackson State to 36 percent shooting for the game. The Tigers made 9 of 21 3-pointers but cooled off significantly after hitting five of their first six.
Ball State will return to action Friday, Dec. 29, hosting Florida A&M for a 7 p.m. tipoff at Worthen Arena in the team’s final non-conference game.
(Courtesy of BSU Athletics)