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Northern Illinois defeats Ball State 62-48

Jan 9, 2010 - 10:17 PM MUNCIE, Ind.(AP) -- Xavier Silas scored 25 points, going 15-for-15 from the free-throw line, as Northern Illinois defeated Ball State 62-48 on Saturday.

It was the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools.

Ball State led 26-24 at halftime, but after Silas' layup in the first minute of the second half, the Cardinals never led again.

Silas scored 20 of Northern Illinois' 38 second-half points. He also had nine rebounds in the game.

Michael Fakuade had 10 points, despite being limited to 11 minutes by foul trouble, and Darion Anderson 10 rebounds for the Huskies (5-8, 1-0).

Malik Perry led Ball State (6-7, 0-1) with 14 points. The Cardinals went 6-for-31 (19 percent) from the field in the second half and finished the game at 27 percent.