MUNCIE, Ind. — Ishmael El-Amin staked Ball State to a big early lead with four 3-pointers and Illinois State could never catch up as the Cardinals took an 82-66 victory in a nonconference basketball game Saturday night at Worthen Arena.
Junior guard Dedric Boyd came off the bench to pace the Redbirds (2-3) with 15 points. Dusan Mahorcic contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds and Josiah Strong had 14 points.
ISU hit 43.1% from the field and 9 of 25 on 3-pointers, but were only 1 of 5 at the line. The Redbirds committed 19 turnovers.