Ball State Tops Western Michigan in Overtime Thriller
Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · University Arena (MI)
Ball State Cardinals 74, Western Michigan Broncos 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos?
Ball State Cardinals beat Western Michigan Broncos 74-71 at University Arena (MI) on March 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos?
Western Michigan Broncos were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -122 (about 55% implied). The underdog won.
In a gripping overtime showdown, the Ball State Cardinals edged out the Western Michigan Broncos with a final score of 74-71 at the University Arena in Michigan. This victory marks Ball State's second consecutive win, improving their record to 11-19, while Western Michigan falls to 10-20. The match was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the resilience of both teams, with Ball State overcoming a challenging season to secure a vital win.
Both teams entered the game with contrasting recent form. Western Michigan's last ten games resulted in a record of 3-7, with their most recent outing being a narrow loss to the Miami (OH) RedHawks, 67-69. They averaged 72.7 points scored per game during this stretch but struggled defensively, allowing an average of 79.1 points. At home, the Broncos had a record of 1-3 in their last four games, with their last five games yielding an average of 74.8 points scored and 76.6 points allowed.
On the other hand, Ball State demonstrated a slight improvement in their recent performance, achieving a 4-6 record in their last ten games. They entered this match on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies 79-43. During their last ten games, they averaged 63.4 points scored while allowing 67.2 points. Their away record was 2-3 in the last five games, with an average of 68.6 points scored and 67.6 points allowed.
The two teams had met once before in the current season, with Ball State winning that encounter 74-71 on January 29, 2025. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as both teams aimed to assert dominance in their rivalry.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players who were unavailable for either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this crucial game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Western Michigan slightly, with a spread of -1.5 in their favor. The total points line was set at 138.5, with odds of -105.0 for the over and -115.0 for the under. The moneyline indicated Western Michigan at -122.0 and Ball State at 102.0, reflecting a competitive atmosphere surrounding the game.
The conditions for the game were conducive to a high-energy matchup, with both teams displaying a mix of offensive and defensive strategies. As the game progressed, viewers witnessed a tightly contested battle, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their skills under pressure.
The overtime period was particularly intense, with key free throws determining the outcome. Jayden Brewer, Devon Barnes, EJ Ryans, and Armoni Zeigler all contributed to Ball State's scoring in overtime, with crucial free throws that ultimately sealed the victory. The final moments highlighted the importance of composure and execution in high-stakes situations, as both teams fought hard for the win.
Overall, this matchup between the Western Michigan Broncos and Ball State Cardinals served as a testament to the competitive spirit of college basketball, with both teams demonstrating their determination and resilience. The outcome not only affected their records but also added another chapter to their ongoing rivalry.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WMU -1.5 | 138.5 o -105 / u -115 | Ball State Cardinals +102 · Western Michigan Broncos -122 |
Leaders
- PointsJustice Williams22Western Michigan Broncos
- AssistsEJ Ryans2Western Michigan Broncos
- ReboundsJayden Brewer13Western Michigan Broncos
- PointsArmoni Zeigler28Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsArmoni Zeigler8Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsMason Jones10Ball State Cardinals
Recent form
Western Michigan Broncos
Last 10: 3-7Streak L172.7 scored · 79.1 allowed per game1-3 at home
- L67-69vs Miami (OH) RedHawksFeb 27
- W88-79at Bowling Green FalconsFeb 25
- L70-83at Central Michigan ChippewasFeb 21
- L73-90vs Akron ZipsFeb 18
- W76-62at Eastern Michigan EaglesFeb 14
- L79-90vs Toledo RocketsFeb 12
- L61-77at Texas State BobcatsFeb 7
- L71-91at Ohio BobcatsFeb 4
- L65-85at Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 28
- W77-65vs Central Michigan ChippewasJan 24
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 4-6Streak W263.4 scored · 67.2 allowed per game2-3 away
- W79-43at Northern Illinois HuskiesFeb 28
- W74-73vs Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 25
- L65-78vs Akron ZipsFeb 20
- L57-69at Ohio BobcatsFeb 18
- L68-75vs Kent State Golden FlashesFeb 14
- L53-63vs Buffalo BullsFeb 12
- W73-68at UL Monroe WarhawksFeb 7
- L52-77at Bowling Green FalconsFeb 4
- L55-73at Toledo RocketsJan 31
- W58-53vs Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 24
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Ball State Cardinals | Western Michigan Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-62 | 23-56 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 5-13 | 6-19 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 32 |
| Free throws | 11-19 | 19-24 |
| Free throw % | 58 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 6 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 29 |
| Assists | 13 | 9 |
| Steals | 9 | 1 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 46 | 26 |
| Fouls | 19 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 62 | 27 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half40-45Davion Hill makes layup
- 2nd Half41-45Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-45Juwan Maxey makes 24-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half46-45Juwan Maxey makes 14-foot jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half46-47Justice Williams makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-47Armoni Zeigler makes layup
- 2nd Half50-47Davion Hill makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-47Preston Copeland makes 4-foot dunk (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half52-50Justice Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper (Michael Sulaka assists)
- 2nd Half52-52Justice Williams makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-53Justice Williams makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-53Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-53Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-54EJ Ryans makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-55EJ Ryans makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-55Preston Copeland makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half56-58Justice Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Michael Sulaka assists)
- 2nd Half56-59Justice Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-60Justice Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-60Armoni Zeigler makes 25-foot three point jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half59-61EJ Ryans makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-61Armoni Zeigler makes layup
- OT63-61Armoni Zeigler makes driving layup
- OT65-61Preston Copeland makes 6-foot dunk (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- OT65-62Jayden Brewer makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT65-63Jayden Brewer makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT66-63Davion Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT66-65Carson Vis makes 21-foot jumper (EJ Ryans assists)
- OT68-65Armoni Zeigler makes driving layup
- OT69-65Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT69-67Jayden Brewer makes layup (EJ Ryans assists)
- OT70-67Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT70-68Jayden Brewer makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT70-69Jayden Brewer makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT71-69Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT72-69Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT72-70EJ Ryans makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT72-71EJ Ryans makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT73-71Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT74-71Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Michigan Broncos, below favours Ball State Cardinals.
Venue
- University Arena (MI)Kalamazoo, MI
- OfficialsTodd Von Sossan, John Floyd, Tony Meeks
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- Western Michigan Dominates Ball State 42-0Oct 11, 2025