MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tayler Persons scored 23 points, including seven straight down the stretch and the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left, and Ball State beat Valparaiso 71-70 on Saturday to win its fifth straight.
The Crusaders regained the lead 60-56 after an 11-2 run capped by Bakari Evelyn's 3-pointer, but the Cardinals led 68-67 on Persons' jumper with 2:08 to go.
Max Joseph hit two free throws for a 69-68 Valparaiso lead and Jon Kiser added one of two to make it 70-68 with 14 seconds left. Trey Moses got the defensive rebound and Persons drained a 3 from the top of the key to win it.