ATHENS – Ohio limited Ball State to 32.6 percent shooting and forced 21 turnovers, gradually pulling away for a 71-51 victory against Ball on Wednesday night at The Convo.

Maurice Ndour scored 16 points, T.J. Hall contributed 13 points and Travis Wilkins finished with 10 for the Bobcats (12-4, 2-1 Mid-American Conference).

Chris Bond paced the Cardinals (3-11, 0-3 MAC) with 14 points, while Zavier Turner added 10 points.

Ohio led 27-21 at halftime and began the second half with a 7-2 run to take a double-digit lead.

Ball State stayed within 10 until Nick Kellogg hit a jumper and Javarez Willis drained a 3-pointer to give the Bobcats a 15-point lead midway through the second half.

Wilkins had a three-point play and assisted on a Stevie Taylor 3-pointer that gave Ohio a 54-35 advantage.

The Cardinals held a 36-31 rebounding advantage, led by Majok Majok’s 11 boards. Treg Setty and Antonio Campbell had five rebounds apiece for the Bobcats. Wilkins had four rebounds and four assists.

Ohio plays at 8 p.m. Saturday at Northern Illinois.