KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro tied a career high with 21 points, but the Western Michigan men's basketball dropped a 77-67 decision to Ball State on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
 
De La Cruz Monegro's career-high tying 21 points led all scorers in the contest. The sophomore was joined in double-figures by JaVaughn Hannah, who had 18 points, and Owen Lobsinger, who tallied 17 points, for Western Michigan (8-14, 5-5 MAC).
 
Anthony Crump posted a game-high 11 rebounds, while Titus Wright corralled seven boards to help the Broncos dominate on the glass to the tune of a 40-27 advantage. WMU owned a 12-4 edge in offensive boards for the afternoon.
 
Ball State (12-10, 4-6) got out to a 9-2 edge in the opening four minutes. At 12-8, the Cardinals notched six straight points to grab a double-digit lead for the first time, 18-8, with nine minutes remaining in the first half. The Broncos used an 11-4 stretch to close the gap to 26-22 at the 4:11 mark, but the visitors closed the period with 13 consecutive points to take a 39-22 advantage into the locker room.
 
The Cardinals' lead grew as high as 19, 59-40, at the 9:35 mark before Western Michigan started to chip away. One of Lobsinger's five three-pointers jumpstarted a 13-4 stretch which brought the Brown and Gold to within 10, 63-53, with just under five minutes to play. Ball State was able to withstand the WMU charge, and kept its advantage in double-figures until the final minute, when back-to-back triples by Lobsinger and Hannah made it a nine-point spread, 73-64. BSU closed it out from there at the free throw line.
 
WMU struggled in the first half, but shot an even 50.0 percent (17-of-34) after halftime to post a 43.9 percent (25-of-57) field goal percentage for the game. Ball State connected on 48.0 percent (24-of-50) from the field.
 
Western Michigan hits the road for its next three games, starting on Tuesday night as it visits Kent State. The Broncos and Golden Flashes are slated for a 7 pm tip on ESPN+.