Recap: Ball State vs. Toledo

Muncie, IN (Sports Network) - Rian Pearson led the way with 24 points as the Toledo Rockets downed the Ball State Cardinals, 85-78, in a Mid-American Conference bout at Worthen Arena.

For the Rockets (8-10, 4-3 MAC), Matt Smith added 19 points and Julius Brown posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Jauwan Scaife led the Cardinals (8-11, 2-5) with 23 points, while Jesse Berry finished with 18 points, Chris Bond scored 15 points and Majok Majok registered a double-double of his own with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Ball State shot 43.3 percent from the field in the first half, including 3- of-8 from 3-point range. Toledo shot 48.3 percent from the field and 3-of-10 from beyond the 3-point arc. The Cardinals used an 8-4 scoring advantage at the free-throw line to take a 37-35 lead into the break.

After halftime, both teams improved their shooting. The Rockets knocked down 55.2 percent of their field goal tries, including 4-of-6 from 3-point distance. The Cardinals tried to keep pace, hitting 48.1 percent of their field goal attempts, but only 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. The teams traded leads for the early part of the second half. With the game knotted at 51-51 midway through the half, the Rockets used an 11-2 run to take a lead that they would never relinquish. The Cardinals did cut their deficit to just three in the final minute, but Toledo made their final four free throws to ice the victory.

The Rockets forced 15 Cardinal turnovers and converted them into 26 points. Toledo turned the ball over only four times in the contest. Ball State did have a 21-10 advantage in second chance points and a 41-25 rebounding edge.