MUNCIE, Ind.- The Broncos out-played and out-hustled Ball State throughout the game, but three-point shooting was the Cardinals' saving grace as BSU squeaked out a 75-71 overtime victory at home Saturday. It was the third overtime game in three years between the two programs.

The Broncos brought a blue-collar effort, winning the rebounding battle, 41-34, including 16-9 on the offensive end. Western Michigan also committed less turnovers (8) than Ball State (11) and got to the free throw line 10 more times, going 22-for-30 from the stripe while Ball State was 14-for-20.

Ball State did its damage from distance, recording 15 of its 23 makes behind the 3-point line. The Cardinals shot 50% from the arc while WMU was 5-for-15 (33.3%).

Western Michigan led by four at halftime, 30-26, and didn't trail in the second half until BSU's Franko House put down a 3-pointer to give the Cardinals a 56-55 lead. Both sides had their cracks to steal the game at the end of regulation. Down two, WMU's Thomas Wilder hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 59-59 and House missed a well-guarded shot down low at the buzzer.

WMU fought back from deficits of 19-12 and 26-22 in the first half, closing out the period with an 8-0 run to take a 30-26 lead into the locker room. Freshman Bryce Moore drilled a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock before the half for WMU.

Western Michigan played 11 minutes of the first half without Wilder after he picked up two early fouls. The Broncos filled the scoring void by committee, as eight players recorded points in the first half. Sophomore center Drake LaMont scored WMU's first seven points of the game.

Wilder had just one bucket at halftime and finished with a game-high 23 points, as well as five rebounds. LaMont had 13 points and five boards and junior Tucker Haymond totaled 11 points and seven rebounds. Senior Anthony Avery Jr. led WMU's effort on the glass with 12 rebounds, five offensive.

Jeremie Tyler made 5 of 7 three-point attempts and scored a team-high 19 points for Ball State. Kiapway connected on four 3's and recorded 14 points. Two other players reached double figures for the Cardinals who improved to 15-8 overall and 6-4 in the Mid-American Conference.

After playing its last two on the road, Western Michigan (9-14, 3-7 MAC) returns to Kalamazoo to host Miami on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast in select markets on the American Sports Network (ASN) and will also be available on ESPN3.