Late Rally for Men's Basketball Falls Short in 68-64 Setback to South Dakota State

Tuesday, December 9

Muncie, Ind.

7 PM

Ball State University

3-7,0-0MAC

South Dakota State

6-5,0-0Summit League

South Dakota St.

Ball St.

Photo by: Malik Valentine

Late Rally for Men's Basketball Falls Short in 68-64 Setback to South Dakota State

December 09, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team rallied late with an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the final minute but fell 68-64 to South Dakota State on Tuesday night at Worthen Arena.

Trailing 64-54 with 7:29 to play, the Cardinals went on a 10-2 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Joey Hart at the 3:26 mark of the second half to cut the Jackrabbits' lead to 66-64. Neither team made a field goal the rest of the way, as Jaden Jackson's pair of free throws in the closing seconds were the final points of the contest.

Ball State (3-7) led 40-39 going into halftime following free throws by Juwan Maxey. The hosts got out to a 13-6 edge with the help of five early points from Hart in his home debut this season. The junior posted a game-high 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting (2-for-3 on 3-pointers) while making all four free throw attempts.

Joining Hart in double figures for Ball State were Kayden Fish (12 points, nine rebounds) and Davion Hill (10 points). Mason Jones (five points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals) and Devon Barnes chipped in five each while Preston Copeland, Elmore James IV and Juwan Maxey posted four points each.

Guard Kalen Garry led the Jackrabbits (6-5) with 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the initial meeting between the two programs.

The visitors collected more rebounds (38-35), but both teams finished with 32 points in the paint. South Dakota State committed four more giveaways (11-7) allowing the Cardinals to get more points off turnovers (13-10).

Ball State shot 36.1 percent (22-61) from the field, 22.2 percent (6-27) from distance and 70 percent (14-20) at the foul line. South Dakota State went 45.6 percent (26-57) on field goals including 42.1 percent (8-19) on 3-pointers and 72.7 percent (8-11) on free throws.

Next up for the Cardinals is a Sunday afternoon game at Campbell. Ball State's next home contest will be the Mid-American Conference opener on Saturday, Dec. 20 against Miami (OH).