ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Jason Carter scored all 16 points in the second half and Gavin Block 13 of his 15 to rally Ohio to a 78-74 victory over Ball State on Saturday.
Carter missed both of his first-half shots but scored the Bobcats’ first 10 points of the second half and added another bucket in the 15-4 run that erased Ball State’s 37-30 halftime lead.
There were 19 lead changes in the game, the final one coming on Block’s straightaway 3-pointer after a shot fake gave him a clear look with 39 seconds left for a 76-74 edge. Two Teyvion Kirk free throws finished the scoring.
Ben Vander Plas grabbed 12 rebounds for Ohio (11-8, 3-4 Mid-American), which swept the season series versus the Cardinals (11-9, 2-5).
Tayler Person scored 21 points to lead Ball State, which made 10 of 18 from the arc but surrendered 23 points off 17 turnovers.
Ohio U. box
OHIO 78, BALL ST. 74
BALL ST. (11-9)
Mallers 3-6 2-2 10, Teague 4-12 0-0 9, Moses 4-9 0-0 8, Nehls 0-1 0-0 0, Persons 9-16 0-0 21, Gunn 3-6 0-0 8, Huggins 0-0 0-0 0, Thompson 3-3 0-0 8, Walton 3-8 4-6 10. Totals 29-61 6-8 74.
OHIO (11-8)
Carter 6-13 4-6 16, Taylor 3-5 0-0 6, Cowart 4-7 0-0 11, Kirk 3-12 2-6 8, Block 5-10 2-2 15, Vander Plas 3-7 1-2 7, Murrell 2-4 0-0 5, Preston 5-9 0-0 10. Totals 31-67 9-16 78.
Halftime—Ball St. 37-30. 3-Point Goals—Ball St. 10-18 (Persons 3-7, Thompson 2-2, Mallers 2-4, Gunn 2-4, Teague 1-1), Ohio 7-24 (Cowart 3-5, Block 3-7, Murrell 1-3, Preston 0-2, Kirk 0-3, Vander Plas 0-4). Fouled Out—Gunn, Moses. Rebounds—Ball St. 33 (Moses 12), Ohio 35 (Vander Plas 12). Assists—Ball St. 14 (Persons 5), Ohio 14 (Carter 4). Total Fouls—Ball St. 17, Ohio 13.