Ball State University Athletics
Wednesday, October 28
Muncie, Ind.
7 PM
Ball State University
70
vs
78
Purdue Fort Wayne
Photo by: Maddox Morgan / Ball State Athletics
October 28, 2026 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball got out to a hot start offensively and led 39-36 at halftime, but Purdue Fort Wayne pulled away late for a 78-70 exhibition win on Wednesday night at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals shot 8-for-16 on 3-pointers in the opening period to take the lead into the break, but the visiting Mastodons scored 18 of the first 22 points of the second half to claim a 54-43 lead with 15:09 to play. Ball State responded with a 9-0 run, with Javion Guy-King scoring the last five points of the stretch, to cut the deficit to 54-52 with 12:17 on the clock. Sean Blake's layup with 7:11 to go made the score 61-60 in favor of Purdue Fort Wayne, but the visitors led by at least two points from then on out.
K'Jei Parker paced the hosts with 19 points and added five rebounds and three assists. Blake (16 points) and Trey Lewis (15) followed in the scoring column for the Cardinals, while Mason Jones had the most rebounds (11) and assists (four) on the team.
Parker accounted for about half of the Ball State offense in the first half including a pair of jumpers in the last four minutes. Lewis hit a 3-pointer with 1:35 to play in the opening period to give the hosts the halftime edge.
The Mastodons were led in scoring by DeAndre Craig, who put up 22 points. Ashton Williamson (16 points) and Anthony Isaac Jr. (15) were next in line in scoring for Purdue Fort Wayne.
Wednesday's exhibition was the second and final of the preseason for Ball State, who begins the regular season on Monday night at Georgia Southern.
The Cardinals shot 8-for-16 on 3-pointers in the opening period to take the lead into the break, but the visiting Mastodons scored 18 of the first 22 points of the second half to claim a 54-43 lead with 15:09 to play. Ball State responded with a 9-0 run, with Javion Guy-King scoring the last five points of the stretch, to cut the deficit to 54-52 with 12:17 on the clock. Sean Blake's layup with 7:11 to go made the score 61-60 in favor of Purdue Fort Wayne, but the visitors led by at least two points from then on out.
K'Jei Parker paced the hosts with 19 points and added five rebounds and three assists. Blake (16 points) and Trey Lewis (15) followed in the scoring column for the Cardinals, while Mason Jones had the most rebounds (11) and assists (four) on the team.
Parker accounted for about half of the Ball State offense in the first half including a pair of jumpers in the last four minutes. Lewis hit a 3-pointer with 1:35 to play in the opening period to give the hosts the halftime edge.
The Mastodons were led in scoring by DeAndre Craig, who put up 22 points. Ashton Williamson (16 points) and Anthony Isaac Jr. (15) were next in line in scoring for Purdue Fort Wayne.
Wednesday's exhibition was the second and final of the preseason for Ball State, who begins the regular season on Monday night at Georgia Southern.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballThursday, October 15
Wednesday, October 14
Monday, October 12
Thursday, October 01