Before Friday's game at Toledo, an already-shorthanded Bowling Green team found out that a third starter was out for the season with the loss of point guard Trey Thomas.
Undeterred, the Falcons led archrival UT for 31 minutes en route to a crucial 69-68 victory.
Javontae Campbell made a putback layup with 1.6 seconds left to win the game and silence a previously rollicking near-sellout crowd at Savage Arena.
BGSU entered the night two games out of eighth place. The top eight qualify for the Mid-American Conference tournament.
The rivalry classic featured six ties and 14 lead changes.