MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — In an exciting matchup on Tuesday night, Ball State narrowly defeated Central Michigan with a final score of 82-80, thanks in part to Mickey Pearson Jr.’s impressive performance, where he scored 16 points.

Pearson also made a significant impact on the boards, pulling down five rebounds for the Cardinals, who now hold a record of 9-9 overall and 3-3 in the Mid-American Conference. Jeremiah Hernandez contributed to the victory by scoring 15 points, including three crucial free throws with just 4.2 seconds remaining in the game. He showcased his shooting by hitting 4 of 8 attempts from the field and completing 6 of 8 from the charity stripe. Additionally, Payton Sparks added 14 points by shooting 5 of 7 and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line, along with grabbing eight rebounds and blocking three shots.

On the other side, Central Michigan’s performance was led by Quentin Heady, who registered 17 points and three steals. The Chippewas, now with a record of 8-10 overall and 2-4 in the conference, also saw strong contributions from Bryan Ndjonga, who had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Anthony Pritchard, who finished with 15 points, six assists, and three steals.

During the first half, Hernandez managed to put up eight points, helping the team, although they found themselves trailing at halftime, 41-33. The second half saw a turnaround, with Pearson leading the scoring for Ball State by netting 12 points. The Cardinals’ solid performance allowed them to outscore Central Michigan by ten in the final half, finishing strong to secure the victory.