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Defense shines as Ball State beats Eastern Michigan, 61-43

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — Tahjai Teague recorded 15 points as Ball State topped Eastern Michigan 61-43 in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tourney on Monday night.

Ishmael El-Amin added 12 points for the Cardinals, who held the Eagles to 29.4 percent shooting, the lowest mark of the season for a Ball State opponent.

Tayler Persons had 12 points and six rebounds for Ball State. (16-16). K.J. Walton added eight rebounds.

Ball State entered halftime trailing 29-23, but the Cardinals were able to outscore the Eagles 38-14 in the second half to pull away for the victory. The Eagles’ 14 points in the second half marked a season low for the team.

Paul Jackson had 12 points for the Eagles (15-17). Kevin McAdoo added 11 points. James Thompson IV had nine rebounds.

Elijah Minnie, the Eagles’ second leading scorer coming into the contest at 14 points per game, scored 6 points (2 of 10).