MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Delrecco Gillespie scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds Saturday to lead Kent State to a 75-68 victory over Ball State in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game at Worthen Arena.

The Golden Flashes (19-7) used a strong first half, taking a 40-31 lead into halftime, and held off a second-half push from the Cardinals (8-17). Gillespie’s double-double anchored the effort, while Rob Whaley added 13 points and Morgan Safford scored 12.

Davion Hill led Ball State with 17 points and eight rebounds. Devon Barnes contributed 14 points off the bench for the Cardinals.

Kent State controlled play inside with a 26-22 advantage in points in the paint before an announced crowd of 3,418. The Golden Flashes have won three of their last four games.