'Dons Beat Ball State 78-70 in Exhibition Bout

Wednesday, October 28

Muncie, Ind.

7 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

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Ball State

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Team	1	2	F
Purdue Fort Wayne	36	42	78
Ball St.	39	31	70

DeAndre Craig

Photo by: Josh Gales

10/28/2026 9:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - In its final tune-up of the preseason, the Purdue Fort Wayne men's basketball team topped Ball State 78-70 on Wednesday evening (Oct. 28).

Purdue Fort Wayne used an efficient shooting evening to come away with the exhibition victory. The Mastodons shot 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from the floor and 44.0 percent (11-of-25) from 3-point range.

Ball State scored first K'Jei Parker scored two of his 19 first-half points. Neither team could create much separation in the first 20 minutes, but Ball State led for nearly 12 minutes thanks to Parker's performance. The Cardinals led 39-36 at halftime.

After a chat in the locker room, Purdue Fort Wayne adjusted to Ball State's sharpshooter and held him scoreless for the rest of the contest.

Meanwhile, the Mastodons built up a lead as large as 11 thanks to an 11-point run. Ashton Williamson hit a triple, EJ Mosley scored a layup, then DeAndre Craig Jr. and Carl Thompson III both hit 3-pointers to go up 11. Ball State pushed back with a 9-0 run of its own, but the Cardinals did not get closer than one the rest of the way.

After the 'Dons led 64-62, they strung together an 8-1 push with 2:41 left to keep the Cardinals out of reach.

The 'Dons were 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) from 3-point range in the second half.

Craig led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting and a 4-for-7 performance from 3-point range. Williamson had 16 points, Anthony Isaac Jr. added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Edir Ortiz had 10 points and eight boards.

Purdue Fort Wayne and Ball State both remain 0-0 after the exhibition. The Mastodons will open the regular season on Tuesday (Nov. 3) with a road game at Duquesne.

~ Feel the Rumble ~