MUNCIE, Ind. – Less than 24 hours after the Greyhounds stunned the Crusaders of Valparaiso, the Crimson and Grey gave the Ball State Cardinals a fight to the end before the hosts pulled away to win their lone exhibition contest on their schedule.
 
Head coach Stan Gouard talked of challenging his team with back-to-back games against quality competition, which it did before the Hounds ran out after playing 55-plus minutes in 24 hours.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Greyhounds began the game with a different recipe from last night's win at Valpo, shooting 51.4 percent from the field in the first half that ended in a 51-51 deadlock. There were 13 lead changes in the first 20 minutes, while the teams were tied on 14 occasions. Jordache Mavunga led the way for the Hounds with 11 points, including three rebounds, while Tye Wilburn had 10 at the break.
 
A three-pointer by Trevor Lakes gave UIndy a 59-58 lead just before the under-16 timeout, but it would be the final time the visitors led in the contest. Ball State finished the game on a 34-17 run to down the Hounds, 92-76.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Lakes led the Greyhounds in points for the second exhibition game in a row, totaling 15 after his game-high 17 last night at Valparaiso. The sophomore sunk three balls from deep, while also securing four rebounds.
 
Along with his six boards, Kempson stopped a pair of Cardinal shots. The senior also grabbed three boards on the offensive end.
 
King dished out four assists in the loss and contributed 14 points himself in nearly 31 minutes of action.
 
Newcomer Tye Wilburn scored 10 points in the first half on five-of-six shooting in his second game as a Hound. The senior transfer tallied two assists and three rebounds.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach Stan Gouard: "We wanted to score in transition, but these guys were quicker. Once we got in the half court, we missed a couple at the basket and we missed some free throws. We're going to work on this next week in practice and be ready to go next weekend against Saginaw Valley and Northwood."
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds begin regular season action next Friday in University Center, Mich. against Northwood at 5 p.m. In last year's season opener in Nicoson Hall, the Timberwolves edged the Hounds, 73-71.