Cardinals Claim 74-71 Overtime Thriller at Western Michigan

Tuesday, March 3

Kalamazoo, Mich.

7 PM

Ball State University

11-19,6-11MAC

Western Michigan

10-20,4-13MAC

OT 1

Ball St.

Western Mich.

Photo by: Ashley Huss, WMU Athletics

Cardinals Claim 74-71 Overtime Thriller at Western Michigan

March 03, 2026 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Zeigler Scores Last Four Points in Closing Seconds of Regulation to Force Overtime

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Ball State men's basketball team got a game-tying layup from Armoni Zeigler in the closing seconds of regulation and claimed a 74-71 overtime thriller on Tuesday night over Western Michigan at University Arena.

Trailing 60-56 after Western Michigan hit a pair of free throws with 19 seconds to play in the second half, Zeigler made a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 11 seconds on the clock to get the Cardinals within one. After the Broncos were fouled and made one out of two free throws, Zeigler drove to the right side of the hoop and finished to knot the score at 61-61 with 2.8 seconds left. Western's 3-point attempt from the right wing hit the back iron to lead to the extra session.

Ball State (11-19, 6-11 Mid-American Conference) scored the first four points of overtime on a Zeigler layup and dunk by Preston Copeland to go up 65-61 and would lead for the remainder of the game. Devon Barnes and Zeigler both went to the line in the final 15 seconds with the Cardinals clinging to one-point leads and made both free throws to help the visitors secure the road win.

Zeigler tallied game highs in points (28) and assists (eight) while grabbing seven rebounds. Davion Hill (17 points, three assists, three steals) and Copeland (12 points, six rebounds) followed in double figures scoring for Ball State. Juwan Maxey chipped in eight points and four rebounds, and Mason Jones contributed 10 boards and three steals.

The visitors clamped down on defense early, allowing Western Michigan (10-20, 4-13 MAC) only seven points in the first 12 minutes of the game, before going into halftime with a 25-22 lead. The Broncos started the second period strong and came back to lead by as many as seven points at 45-38 with 10:35 on the clock, but Ball State responded with an 8-0 rally capped by a triple from Maxey to regain a 46-45 edge. The scoring run expanded to 14-2 after Copeland dunked at the 5:48 mark for a 52-47 Ball State lead.

Justice Williams (22 points, six rebounds) and Jayden Brewer (20 points, 13 rebounds) led Western Michigan in scoring and rebounding on the night.

Both teams totaled 35 rebounds, but Ball State held advantages in points in the paint (46-26) and second chance points (11-6). The Cardinals committed three fewer turnovers (11-8) than the Broncos.

Ball State shot 46.8 percent (29-62) from the field including 38.5 percent (5-13) from distance and 57.9 percent (11-19) on free throws. Western went 41.1 percent (23-56) on field goals, 31.8 percent (6-19) on 3-pointers and 79.2 percent (19-24) at the foul line.

The Cardinals return home to conclude the season on Friday night against Central Michigan.