HADLEY, Mass. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and relentless offensive execution, the Massachusetts Minutemen overcame a determined challenge from the visiting Ball State Cardinals to secure a 79-71 victory in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Mullins Center.

A crowd of 4,010 saw the Minutemen improve to 10-7 overall, while the Cardinals fell to 4-12 despite a spirited second-half comeback attempt that fell short in the final minutes.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded late in the second half. After Ball State’s Davion Hill, who finished with a game-high 22 points, drained a 3-pointer to cut the Massachusetts lead to 69-66 with 3:31 remaining, the Minutemen delivered a decisive response. On the ensuing possession, Marcus Banks connected on his fifth 3-pointer of the game, pushing the lead back to six. Following a Ball State turnover, Banks struck again from beyond the arc, extending the advantage to 75-69 with just over two minutes to play. That eight-point cushion, built on consecutive possessions, ultimately proved insurmountable for the Cardinals.

Massachusetts was led by a balanced and efficient offensive attack. Forward Leonardo Bettiol, a 6-foot-9 sophomore from Roncade, Italy, scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and added three assists. Guard Marcus Banks of Hampton, Virginia, provided crucial perimeter scoring with 17 points, all in the second half, including five 3-pointers. Guard K’Jei Parker contributed 14 points and four assists off the bench.

Ball State was paced by Hill, the 6-foot-2 guard from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, who scored 22 points in 28 minutes, including four 3-pointers. Armoni Zeigler of Amityville, New York, added 12 points and six assists in a team-high 39 minutes, while forwards Preston Copeland and Mason Jones each chipped in 12 and nine points, respectively.

The game began inauspiciously for both teams, with a flurry of turnovers and missed shots marking the opening minutes. Massachusetts eventually found a rhythm behind Bettiol, who scored six early points to help the Minutemen build a 28-25 halftime lead.

The second half transformed into a track meet, with the teams combining for 97 points. Ball State’s offense, which managed just 25 points before halftime, exploded for 46 in the second period. Hill was the catalyst, repeatedly attacking the rim and hitting from outside to keep the Cardinals within striking distance.

However, Massachusetts answered every Ball State push with superior efficiency. The Minutemen scored 79 points on just 69 possessions, an offensive rating of 114.9, compared to Ball State’s 71 points on 71 possessions for a 100.6 rating. Massachusetts also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 20 of 29 attempts, while Ball State hit 13 of 18.

Defensively, the Minutemen controlled the glass, grabbing nine offensive rebounds to Ball State’s three, leading to key second-chance opportunities. Ball State’s pressure defense forced 12 Massachusetts turnovers, converting them into 10 points, but the Minutemen matched that figure with 10 points off nine Cardinals giveaways.

The victory keeps Massachusetts in the upper tier of the MAC standings as they prepare for a road test at Western Michigan on Tuesday. Ball State, still seeking its first conference win, will look to rebound on the road at Akron, also on Tuesday.