TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men's basketball secured its fourth win of the season with a 70-52 victory over Ball State on Saturday night inside the Hulman Center.
Markus Harding and Jo Van Buggenhout led the Sycamores with 15 points apiece, while Ian Scott and Bruno Alocen added 10 each. Scott recorded his third double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, and Enel St. Bernard led the team on the boards with 11. Alocen also tallied the Sycamores' lone block.
 
Ball State struck first, taking nine of the opening thirteen points before the first media timeout at 15:39. Indiana State trailed 19-13 before six combined points from Sterling Young and Xavier Hall tied the game at 19 with 5:39 remaining in the half. The Cardinals regained a five-point lead with just over two minutes to play, but a driving layup from Van Buggenhout and a St. Bernard dunk cut the deficit to one heading into the break.
 
The second half opened with both teams trading baskets, featuring five lead changes in the first five minutes. Back-to-back threes from Alocen and Van Buggenhout sparked the turning point of the game for the Sycamores. Indiana State went on a 27-6 run over Ball State following the consecutive buckets, stretching from 15:58 to 6:06 (nine minutes, 56 seconds). Indiana State made 10-of-13 from the field (76.9%) and 3-of-4 (75.0%) from downrange during the scoring stretch. 
 
After the threes by Alocen and Van Buggenhout, coach Mark Slessinger successfully challenged a call on the floor, giving the Sycamores back the ball, swinging the momentum back in favor of the Sycamores. The Trees used the momentum as the lead was extended on a nine-point burst powered by Harding, Van Buggenhout, and Alocen.
 
Ball State responded with an 11-4 run to pull back within ten with 2:07 left, but Indiana State closed strong. Harding threw down a dunk, Van Buggenhout knocked down a step-back three, and Harding added another three-pointer to seal the victory. 
 
News & Notes

• The Sycamores had 15 points off turnovers, all of which came during the 2nd half 
  • The Cardinals recorded 10 turnovers in the 2nd half 
• Indiana State has recorded 32 assists in the last two games combined, recording 32 assists on 47 made field goals 
• The Cardinals shot just 29% from the field in the 2nd half 
• The Sycamores nearly doubled their shooting percentage in the second half and took four fewer shots, shooting 63.0% (17-for-27) from the field
  • The squad also quadrupled their three-point shooting percentage in the second half and took just two fewer, shooting 41.7%
• The Sycamores are undefeated at home this season (3-0) 
• The Trees shot 100% from the free throw line for the first time since December 1, 2024, vs. Tarelton State (9-for-9 tonight) 
  • This is the first time since February 2, 2025 at Belmont where the Trees have shot less than 10 free throws 
• Fifth win since the start of last season that the Sycamores have won when trailing at half (16 games) 
• The Sycamores had four players with 10+ points for the first time since March 2, 2025 vs. SIUE 
• The Trees held the Cardinals to just five free throw attempts
• The Sycamores saw a non-negative turnover margin for the second-straight game
• As a team, the Sycamores had season highs in several areas (against DI opponents) 
  • 33 points off the bench 
  • 38 points in the paint 
  • 15 points off turnovers 
• Markus Harding notched a career night
  • Passed 1,000 career points, now sits at a total of 1,007
  • Season high: points with 15
  • Season high: field goals made with seven 
  • Season high: assists with four
  • Tied season high: three-pointers made with one
• Jo Van Buggenhout achieved a career high night.
  • Career High: points with 15
  • Career High: field goals made with five
  • Career High: three-pointers made with three
  • Career High: assists with three
  • Career High: steals with two
• Bruno Alocen tied his career high in field goals made with four. Bruno notched his season high in points, with ten, and rebounds with five. He gathered his first steal of the season and it is his first ten-point game of the season. 
• Ian Scott achieved his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds 
• Xavier Hall tallied a season high in points with nine, previously was eight

 
Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law


Up Next
Indiana State heads to Ruston, La. for the Louisiana Tech MTE. They will face Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET. On Friday, November 28, the Sycamores will play Alcorn State at 2 p.m. ET.
 
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