With each free throw Western Michigan swished during the final stretch of the contest, Ball State's five-game winning streak was jeopardized to a greater extent. In the final minute in front of the fifth-highest crowd the Cardinals have played in front of in the past decade, the streak finally collapsed.
Steve Hawkins and the Broncos (17-12, 9-7 MAC) erased a first half deficit to rally and beat the streaking Cardinals (19-10, 10-6 MAC), 87-80, in an energized environment at Worthen Arena. Entering Friday night, Ball State had only registered one home loss compared to 14 wins in its own gym.