MUNCIE, Ind.- Western Michigan posted its first season sweep over Ball State since 2000, defeating the Cardinals 67-65 on the road Wednesday. WMU won the first meeting on Jan. 8 in Kalamazoo, 76-64.
Aurielle Anderson had a game-high 14 points and scored the Broncos' final six points, helping WMU maintain its lead at the end.
Corie Buchanan had an all-around night, tying a career-high with nine assists and totaling 13 points, four rebounds, four steals and a block.
Maria Iaquaniello and Rachel Adaline had nine points apiece for the Broncos. Iaquaniello also grabbed eight rebounds.
WMU trailed by one, 23-22, with five minutes left in the first and closed out the half with a 13-1 run to lead by 12 at halftime, 37-25. Courtney Haley checked in off the bench to ignite the Bronco offense with a three-pointer. Buchanan put an exclamation on the run with a three-point play before heading into the locker room.
Western Michigan held a 13-point lead with 8:54 left to play, and had to hold off a late Cardinal surge, as Ball State had cut the Broncos' lead down to one within the final minute.
BSU's Shelbie Justice went to the line with a chance to tie the game with 13 seconds left on the clock, but missed the second of two freebies. Buchanan grabbed the defensive rebound and Ball State fouled Anderson on the Bronco inbounds following a WMU timeout.
Anderson made the first free throw and missed the second with 10 seconds left. BSU got the rebound and fumbled the ball away after crossing midcourt. Buchanan tied up the loose ball, with the possession arrow going in the Broncos' favor, to seal the win.
Anderson had two critical layups in the final five minutes, getting fouled on one and converting a three-point play.
It was the Broncos' first win in Muncie since Jan. 12, 2005, and WMU's first win on the road this season.
Justice and Brandy Woody each scored 12 points for Ball State (9-18, 4-10 Mid-American Conference).
WMU (7-20, 4-10 MAC) shot 44.8 percent for the game and held BSU to 37.3 percent.
Western Michigan hosts Central Michigan Saturday in the Broncos' final home game of the regular season. Tip-off is at 2 p.m.
