Ward leads W. Michigan past Ball State 78-61

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) Demetrius Ward hit six of Western Michigan's 13 3-pointers and finished with 20 points as the Broncos defeated Ball State 78-61 Wednesday night.

Ward was 6 for 9 from the 3-point line, leading a Western Michigan team that hit 13 of 21 attempts beyond the arc and shot 55 percent overall from the floor.

Nate Hutcheson and Flenard Whitfield added 15 points each for the Broncos (12-16, 6-7 Mid-American), who split the season series with Ball State. Matt Stainbrook had 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Cardinals (13-13, 4-9) got 14 points from Chris Bond and 10 each from Jauwan Scaife and Jesse Berry.

Ball State was within 64-58 with 4:55 remaining before Hutcheson scored on a dunk and a 3-point shot, sparking a 14-3 game-closing run for Western Michigan.

Updated February 22, 2012