Ohio blows big lead, still edges Ball State 79-77

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) Jordan Dartis led a balanced attack with 16 points and Ohio held on to defeat Ball State 79-77 on Friday night after losing a 19-point halftime lead.

The Bobcats led by as many as 25 before settling for a 49-30 lead at the half after shooting 62 percent and making 7 of 12 3-pointers.

Ball State scored eight straight, cutting the deficit to 62-55 on Kyle Mallers' 3-point play with 10:29 remaining.

A 3-pointer by Ryan Weber put the Cardinals up 73-72 with 4:21 to go. A foul and a technical helped Ohio regain the lead with three free throws.

Trey Moses scored for the Cardinals to set the final score with 2:24 to play. Ohio missed three times after that but Ball State had a turnover, missed a free throw and a 3-pointer on the next possession and missed a jumper at the buzzer.

Jason Carter had 15 points and nine rebounds, Mike Laster added 14 points and Gavin Block and Jaaron Simmons 13 each for Ohio (15-8, 7-5 Mid-American).

Moses had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Cardinals (15-10, 6-6), who made 8 of 15 3s in the second half.