Walton scores 15 to lead Ball State over W. Michigan 60-58

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — K.J. Walton registered 15 points as Ball State narrowly beat Western Michigan 60-58 on Saturday.

WMU rallied from a 10-point deficit to tie the game at 55-all with three minutes left after a 12-2 run but the Cardinals responded with a 5-0 spurt that began with a Brachen Hazen dunk.

Trailing 60-57 with 9.9 left, DJ Houston made a free throw then ricocheted the second off the front of the rim and the Broncos got the rebound. But Seth Dugan couldn't score underneath with the ball going out of bounds to WMU with 2.3 remaining. A contested 3-point try was short at the buzzer.

Tayler Persons had 18 points for Ball State (15-14, 6-10 Mid-American Conference). Tahjai Teague added 13 points. Hazen had three blocks.

The Cardinals forced a season-high 22 turnovers.

Dugan had 20 points and 20 rebounds for the Broncos (8-21, 2-14). Michael Flowers added 11 points.

The Cardinals improve to 2-0 against the Broncos this season. Ball State defeated Western Michigan 79-59 on Feb. 9.

Ball State plays Eastern Michigan on the road on Tuesday. Western Michigan plays Toledo on the road on Tuesday.