DEKALB, Ill. (Interstat) — Ball State delivered a commanding performance Saturday, defeating Northern Illinois 79-43 in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game at Convocation Center.

The Cardinals seized control with a 36-29 halftime lead before holding the Huskies to just 14 second-half points. Ball State’s defense was stifling, limiting Northern Illinois to 11-of-43 shooting from the floor. Offensively, Davion Hill led Ball State with 17 points and seven assists. Armoni Zeigler added 13 points and six assists.

Northern Illinois, which shot 4 of 17 from 3-point range, was led by Daemar Kelly’s nine points. The loss dropped the Huskies to 9-19 overall, while Ball State improved to 10-19. An announced crowd of 1,887 watched the game.