Tweet #LOYALandTRUE

Box Score  |  Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois shot 52 percent from the field in the opening half on Wednesday but cooled off in the second half as the Panthers lost 76-59 to Ball State at First Mid Court at Lantz Arena.
 
The Panthers trailed 36-29 at the half despite the hot shooting as Ball State took advantage of its size to post a 20-13 rebound margin in the first half.  Mickey Pearson came off the bench to score 10 first half points for the Cardinals and grabbed three of Ball State's ten offensive rebounds in the opening half.
 
Paul Bizimana tied the game at 19-19 for EIU after a trip to the free throw line.  EIU had seven different players score in the opening half led by Kinyon Hodges with six points.
 
Following Bizimana's free throw, Ball State used a 9-2 run over the next three and half minutes to give themselves a cushion as EIU would cut the margin to a one possession game only one time the remainder of the first half.
 
In the second half, EIU was held to 35 percent shooting as Ball State warmed up from the floor.  The Cardinals shot 63 percent from the floor including 7-of-12 from 3-point range.
 
Nick Ellington joined Hodges with team-high honors for EIU with both players finishing with 12 points. 
 
EIU did a better job limiting second chance points for Ball State in the second half as they finished with 12 offensive rebounds in the game.  Pearson had 20 points to along with nine rebounds to lead the Cardinals. 
 
EIU fell to 2-8 on the year.  Ball State moved to 5-4.