Thomas leads Ball State against Northern Illinois after 26-point game

Ball State Cardinals (8-10, 3-4 MAC) at Northern Illinois Huskies (5-11, 2-4 MAC)

DeKalb, Illinois; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST

LINE: Northern Illinois -3; over/under is 144

BOTTOM LINE: Ball State visits the Northern Illinois Huskies after Miryne Thomas scored 26 points in Ball State's 81-64 victory against the Miami (OH) RedHawks.

The Huskies are 2-1 in home games. Northern Illinois is 1-2 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Cardinals are 3-4 in conference play. Ball State is third in the MAC shooting 36.1% from deep. Kani Acree leads the Cardinals shooting 55.6% from 3-point range.

The matchup Thursday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Keshawn Williams is scoring 15.5 points per game and averaging 2.5 rebounds for the Huskies. Trendon Hankerson is averaging 9.3 points and 2.8 rebounds over the last 10 games for Northern Illinois.

Payton Sparks is averaging 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Cardinals. Tyler Cochran is averaging 13.9 points over the last 10 games for Ball State.

LAST 10 GAMES: Huskies: 4-6, averaging 65.8 points, 26.9 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 7.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.2 points per game.

Cardinals: 5-5, averaging 70.6 points, 32.6 rebounds, 12.1 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.9 points.

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