MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (4-21, 1-11 Sun Belt) fell in the MAC-SBC Challenge in Fant-Ewing Coliseum to Ball State (8-15, 3-7 MAC) on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 7). Despite hitting 30 free throws and forcing 14 turnovers for the Cardinals, the Warhawks were outshot in the first half, unable to recover.
 
Krystian Lewis led the team with 26 points, hitting reaching double-digit free throws to contribute to the team's 30. Lavell Brodnex notched his eighth double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds, leading the team on the defensive end of the ball. MJ Russell rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points on the day. 
 
The Cardinals opened the scoring with a triple in the opening minute, looking to expand as the Warhawks struggled to find a score early. Brodnex opened with a bucket for ULM, but Ball State was able to extend the lead to double figures, thanks to a 10-0 scoring run. Russell set up an attempt to chip away at the lead, hitting a triple as ULM free throws kept the team in the contest. 
 
Ayomide Bamisile also got in on the action, snagging multiple second-chance points to make it a two-possession game. But another string of buckets for the Cardinals allowed for the lead to reach double digits yet again. At the six-minute mark, the Warhawk defense–posting four blocks–was able to prevent a Ball State score for four minutes. ULM went on to score six unanswered points for the 36-27 score before halftime. 
 
ULM was able to outscore the Cardinals 38-35 in the second half, even as Ball State continued to piece together their offense. The visitors drilled another three-pointer as the second half opened, with ULM fighting for control and the lead. An alley-oop from Russell to Brodnex brought life back to the offense, the defense forcing a Cardinal scoring drought. 
 
As Lewis and Brodnex each reached double figures in second-half scoring, Ball State maintained the lead by shooting 50% from the field. Free throws allowed for ULM to close the gap on multiple occasions, Lewis hitting 16 from the charity stripe, but it was not enough for the lead change. Dylan Diaz dropped the triple for ULM's second of the day in the final seconds, but Ball State still secured the victory to break the series tie, 73-68.
 
The Warhawks will hit the road, first facing Arkansas State on Wednesday (Feb. 11). Tipoff in Jonesboro is scheduled for 7 p.m.