MUNCIE, Ind. – Bethune-Cookman's 13-point second half lead faded as Ball State edged the Wildcats 51-48 Saturday at Worthen Arena.
Brandon Stewart scored 17 points and Ricky Johnson 14 as the Wildcats (3-11) took a 37-24 lead with 17:39 remaining in the final of its five-game road trip.
Ball State (5-6) took a 42-41 lead on a Sean Sellers three-point play with 6:53 remaining. The Wildcats regained the lead on a Delino Dear lay-up and two Johnson free throws, but the Cardinals took a 47-46 lead on two Franko House free throws with 4:26 remaining and never trailed again.
Dear got the Wildcats to within 49-48 on two free throws with 1:41 left. Bethune-Cookman had two attempts to take the lead, but couldn't capitalize, then House sank two free throws with three seconds to play to put the Cardinals up three.
Stewart's running three-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
With only eight players, Bethune-Cookman controlled the first half behind 14 points from Stewart and 10 from Johnson.The Wildcats held the Cardinals to 25 shooting from the field and took a 27-20 lead into the locker room.
Dear and Quintin Brewer each had six points for the Wildcats. Stewart and Johnson were also the Wildcats' top rebounders with seven and five, respectively.
Sellers and Francis Kiapway scored 12 and 10 points respectively for the Cardinals, who were 13 of 15 from the line in the second half.
Bethune-Cookman will try to snap a five-game losing streak when it returns home to face Trinity Baptist Monday at 7 p.m. in Moore Gym.
HEAD COACH GRAVELLE CRAIG
“Too many mental mistakes down the stretch. We have to figure out a way and fight through it.”
“Basically, this was like a conference road game. It'll help us in the long run.”
“Brandon is aggressive. We have to get more guys going.”
BRANDON STEWART
“In the second half, [Ball State] bought into their offense and got some extra possessions we should have got. We have to learn to close out games.”
When we get to the line, that's the best thing for our team.
NOTES: B-CU remained winless (0-8) on the road and had its non-conference road losing streak extended to 23 games … Ball State was just 2-18 from three-point range … B-CU led at halftime for just the third time this season … Johnson also had three steals.
