MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — South Dakota State overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Ball State 68-64 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Worthen Arena. The Jackrabbits improved to 6-5, while the Cardinals fell to 3-7 before a crowd of 2,412. Ball State led 40-39 at halftime, but South Dakota State’s defense tightened, holding the Cardinals to 24 second-half points. Joey Hart led all scorers with 18 points for Ball State. Kalen Garry paced the Jackrabbits with 15 points and seven assists, and Damon Wilkinson added 14 points and three blocks. South Dakota State, a 6-point pregame favorite, secured the win despite the combined score falling short of the over/under line.

MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dramatic second-half defensive stand, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits erased a halftime deficit to edge the Ball State Cardinals 68-64 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Worthen Arena. A crowd of 2,412 saw the Jackrabbits (6-5) clamp down after the break, limiting the Cardinals to just 24 points on a frigid shooting performance over the final 20 minutes. Ball State (3-7), which led 40-39 at halftime, saw its offense stagnate against a reinvigorated South Dakota State defense, committing key turnovers and missing critical shots down the stretch. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minutes with South Dakota State clinging to a narrow lead. After Ball State’s Joey Hart hit a 3-pointer with 3:26 remaining to pull the Cardinals within 64-61, the Jackrabbits’ defense took over. On the ensuing possession, Kalen Garry turned the ball over, giving Ball State a chance to tie or take the lead. But the Cardinals came up empty on their next two trips: Armoni Zeigler missed a driving layup, and after a South Dakota State miss, Juwan Maxey misfired on a 3-pointer. The defensive stops allowed South Dakota State to bleed the clock. With 37 seconds left, Damon Wilkinson was stripped by Kayden Fish, giving Ball State another lifeline. However, Fish immediately traveled on the rebound, handing possession back to the Jackrabbits. Ball State was forced to foul, and Jaden Jackson sank two free throws with five seconds left to seal the four-point victory. Hart led all scorers with 18 points for Ball State, but was held to just four in the second half. Kayden Fish added 12 points for the Cardinals, who struggled to find consistent offense outside of their top duo. South Dakota State’s victory was a balanced effort, led by Garry’s 15 points and seven assists. The Jackrabbits’ interior presence proved pivotal, with Wilkinson scoring 14 points and swatting three shots, and Matthew Mors adding 10 points and two blocks. Their combined defensive effort in the paint altered numerous Ball State attempts, especially during the decisive second-half slump. The game began at a brisk pace, with Hart scoring five quick points to help Ball State to an early lead. The first half featured seven ties and six lead changes, with neither team building an advantage larger than five points. Ball State took its one-point lead into halftime thanks to a pair of Juwan Maxey free throws with five seconds left in the period. The second half narrative shifted entirely to South Dakota State’s defensive intensity. The Jackrabbits opened the half on a 9-2 run to take a six-point lead and never trailed again, though Ball State stayed within striking distance until the final defensive stands sealed it. The win gives South Dakota State a positive momentum swing as it returns home for its next contest. Ball State, meanwhile, continues to search for answers during a difficult start to its season. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, South Dakota State entered with a 70.7% probability to win. The Jackrabbits failed to cover the pregame spread of -6, and the total score of 132 fell under the over/under line of 138.5.

MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to steady their nonconference seasons will meet Tuesday when the South Dakota State Jackrabbits visit the Ball State Cardinals at Worthen Arena. South Dakota State (5-5) arrives after a narrow 84-81 home loss to Idaho on Saturday, a game in which Damon Wilkinson scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Jackrabbits have shown offensive firepower, averaging 86 points in their five wins, but have been held to 66 points per game in their losses. Ball State (3-6) seeks to end a two-game skid following a 64-52 defeat at Evansville last Wednesday. The Cardinals have struggled to find consistent scoring outside of guard Armoni Zeigler, who led the team with 17 points in that loss. Ball State’s three victories have come at home, including a 96-85 shootout win over Le Moyne. Wilkinson, a key player for the Jackrabbits, has been a versatile contributor, averaging 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds over his last seven games. His efficiency will be critical against a Ball State defense allowing 71.2 points per game. Zeigler paces the Cardinals, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds. His production often dictates Ball State’s success; the team is 2-1 when he scores in double figures and 1-5 when he does not. The matchup pits South Dakota State’s potent offense against a Ball State team trying to establish a home-court advantage. The Cardinals will play three of their next four at Worthen Arena, while the Jackrabbits continue a stretch of four road games in five contests. Tuesday’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. EST tipoff.