MUNCIE, Ind. — Basheer Jihad's 18 points helped Ball State defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 92-74 on Friday.
Jihad also contributed 11 rebounds for the Cardinals (5-1). Mickey Pearson Jr. scored 17 points while shooting 6 for 12, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. Davion Bailey shot 6 for 10, including 4 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 16 points.
Joe French led the way for the Golden Lions (3-4) with 29 points. Kylen Milton added 15 points for UAPB. Rashad Williams also had 11 points, five assists and two steals.
ARK.-PINE BLUFF (3-4)
Lewis 2-2 0-0 4, French 10-21 2-2 29, Martin 3-7 0-0 9, Milton 5-11 3-7 15, Williams 2-11 6-6 11, Plet 1-2 0-0 2, McCloud 1-3 0-0 2, Ware 1-2 0-0 2, McColley 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-59 11-15 74.
BALL ST. (5-1)
Jihad 7-9 3-7 18, Pearson 6-12 1-2 17, Hendriks 4-4 2-2 10, Anderson 4-10 4-6 15, Bailey 6-10 0-0 16, Jones 4-4 0-0 8, Middleton 2-4 4-5 8, Brown 0-1 0-0 0, Doughty 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-54 14-22 92.
Halftime: Ark.-Pine Bluff 46-40.
3-Point Goals: Ark.-Pine Bluff 13-29 (French 7-14, Martin 3-6, Milton 2-5, Williams 1-4), Ball St. 12-22 (Pearson 4-6, Bailey 4-7, Anderson 3-6, Jihad 1-2, Brown 0-1).
Rebounds: Ark.-Pine Bluff 24 (Plet 7), Ball St. 28 (Jihad 11).
Assists: Ark.-Pine Bluff 15 (Williams 5), Ball St. 23 (Anderson 8).
Total Fouls: Ark.-Pine Bluff 21, Ball St. 12.
Attendance: 4,071 (11,500).