THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan Broncos (12-15, 8-7 MAC)
vs. Ball State Cardinals (18-10, 9-6 MAC)
Feb. 28, 2017 • 7 p.m. • University Arena (5,421)

Series Record: WMU trails, 63-62
Last Meeting: 84-78, Ball State (1/28/17, in Muncie)

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio • Bronco Radio Network - Robin Hook PBP (Pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Stations • WZOX — 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX — 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WMAX — 96.1 FM: WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids
TV/Stream: ESPN3
Talent: Mike Monaco (PBP), Brian Snider ( Analyst)
Twitter Updates: @WMUMBB

BRONCOS ON THE UP SWING
After starting Mid-American Conference play with a 2-6 record, the Broncos have won six of their last seven, including the last five games in a row. With an 8-7 conference, 12-15 overall record, the Broncos sit alone in second place in the MAC West standings, one game behind Ball State at 9-6. If the MAC Tournament started today, WMU would be the No. 5 seed.

SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
> Junior point guard Thomas Wilder is averaging a team-best 19.3 ppg and 4.2 rpg while senior Tucker Haymond is averaging 14.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg. The two have 171 assists combined. Freshman guard Reggie Jones (9.4 ppg),  freshman post Brandon Johnson (7.7) and junior center Drake LaMont (7.4) are all averaging over seven points per game. Seth Dugan is the team's leading rebounder with 5.5 rpg. 

> The Broncos are averaging 76.0 ppg this season and allowing 77.4 ppg defensively. WMU is shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from three and 71.2 percent from the free-throw line. 

BRONCOS RALLY PAST TOLEDO
Western Michigan extended its winning streak to five games with a 61-56 overtime win at Toledo Tuesday. The Broncos trailed 31-23 at halftime and by as many as 15 in the contest.  Junior Thomas Wilder scored 30 of his team's 61 points, including seven in a row in the second half that cut a 10-point deficit down to three, 44-41, with 9:06 left in the second half. From there, the Bronco defense tightened up and allowed just 12 points though the end of regulation and overtime.   Sophomore Bryce Moore knocked down the game-winning shot in overtime, a 3-pointer from the wing with 29 seconds on the clock for his only points of the game. Senior Tucker Haymond added two free throws with 6.9 seconds left to seal the victory. 

SCOUTING BALL STATE
Ball State is led by fourth-year head coach James Whitford and is 18-10 overall and leads the MAC West with a 9-6 record. The Cardinals have won three in a row, including two in overtime, and are coming off a 79-72 win over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday. Tayler Persons is Ball State's top producer with 15.8 ppg and a team-high 141 assists. 

> The Cardinals are averaging 79.9 ppg this season and allowing 75.2 ppg defensively. Ball State is shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three and 72.9 percent from the free-throw line. 

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE CARDINALS
This will be the 126th meeting between the Broncos and the Cardinals, with Ball State holding a 63-62 edge. Ball State has won the last three matchups, including an 84-78 win in Muncie earlier this season. WMU is 17-11 against Ball State under head coach Steve Hawkins.

HAWKINS GOING FOR 250
The next Bronco victory will be No. 250 for head coach Steve Hawkins at Western Michigan. Hawkins is in his 14th season at the Bronco helm and has averaged 17.7 wins per season. He has a 249-203 record at WMU and has gone 138-97 in MAC play.

LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday's matchup there are two games left in the regular season. The Broncos head to Northern Illinois Tuesday, Feb. 28 and host Central Michigan on Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase Rivalry Special tickets for the CMU game -which includes an upper level game ticket, hot dog, popcorn, small fountain drink and NO CHIPS for just $12.