Last-second shot lifts Ball State over Falcons

2/7/2018

MUNCIE, Ind. — Tayler Persons hit a 3-pointer with one second remaining Tuesday as Ball State beat the Bowling Green State University men’s basketball team 59-56 in Mid-American Conference action at Worthen Arena.

It snapped a two-game winning streak for the Falcons (14-10, 5-6 MAC).

It also ended a run of nine BGSU wins in the past 10 games in the series.

Trey Moses added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Cardinals (15-9, 6-5). Tahjai Teague chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds.

Antwon Lilliard led Bowling Green with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Dylan Frye added 14 points.

Bowling Green played the game without the services of junior center Demajeo Wiggins, who suffered an undisclosed injured in Saturday’s win over Kent State.

The Falcons took the lead just a little over midway through the first half and held a 33-27 advantage at halftime. But Ball State eventually whittled it down and took the lead at 54-53 on Sean Sellers 3 with 3 minutes, 59 seconds remaining in regulation. Moses hit a pair of free throws in a 20 second span with less than three minutes remaining, but Justin Turner hit a 3 with 2:14 left that tied it at 56.

That set up the heroics by Persons.

Bowling Green hosts Eastern Michigan at 4 p.m. Saturday.