Jones, Ball State take down Eastern Michigan 64-49

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Jarrod Jones had 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead Ball State to a 64-49 victory over Eastern Michigan on Wednesday night.

Jones notched the 20th double-double of his career to help the Cardinals (16-11, 8-5) keep pace with Western Michigan atop the Mid-American West Division. Chris Bond added 16 points.

Brandon Bowdry’s 14th double-double of the season — 17 points and 11 rebounds — paced the Eagles (8-19, 4-9).

Bowdry’s 13 first-half points led Eastern Michigan to a 26-24 edge, and the Eagles led 32-26 before a 12-2 run gave Ball State a 38-34 advantage with 15:22 left.

Shortly thereafter, the Cardinals unleashed a 13-0 spurt sparked by six points from Jones. That made it 56-40 with 6:51 left.

Ball State outrebounded Eastern Michigan 43-34, but its big edge came at the foul line, where the Cardinals went 20 of 25 to the Eagles’ 8 of 11.