MUNCIE, Ind. – Indiana State basketball dropped its matchup with Ball State, 97-75, at Worthen Arena Saturday afternoon. The Sycamores (3-4) were led offensively by Micah Thomas' 19 points while Xavier Bledson scored 15 in his return to the court.
 
Indiana State cut the Ball State (3-3) lead to 19 points in the second half but was not able to string together defensive stops as the team allowed a season-high 97 points.
 
Five Cardinals scored in double figures led by Tyler Cochran who dropped 15 points. Miryne Thomas recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Luke Bumbalough added 14 points as the sharpshooter hit four of BSU's 15 3-pointers.
 
It was all Ball State in the first half as the Cardinals raced out to a 15-2 lead. Indiana State was never able to get into a rhythm as foul trouble plagued ISU. The Sycamores were called for three fouls in the first 35 seconds of play and Dearon Tucker picked up two early fouls and was sidelined three minutes into the action. Two other starters in Cameron Henry and Cooper Neese also battled fouls as Neese finished the half with three and Henry had two.
 
Ball State shot lights out from the field in the first half at 45 percent from the field while shooting 53.3 percent (8-15) from behind the arc. Six Cardinal scored six points or more led by Thomas who had eight points to help BSU take a 45-26 lead into the locker room.
 
Indiana State struggled shooting throughout the game and finished shooting 39.7 percent (23-58) from the field and 36 percent (9-25) from downtown.
 
The Cardinals took advantage of 13 ISU turnovers, scoring 18 points on the miscues while allowing 17 fast break points.
 
Indiana State returns to action Dec. 1 with a trip to Chicago to face Loyola to open Missouri Valley Conference action. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Gentile Arena.
 
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