Jarrod Jones scored 21 points, including a jumper with 48 seconds left that turned out to be the game-winner, and Ball State hung on to beat Butler 58-55 on Saturday.
Jones added eight rebounds for the Cardinals (6-2). Khyle Marshall led the Bulldogs (4-6) with career highs of 21 points and 16 rebounds off the bench.
Ball State never trailed and led by as many as 13 in the first half, but Marshall's jumper with 1:20 to play tied it at 54. After Jones gave the Cardinals the lead back, Andrew Smith missed a game-tying layup with 35 seconds left. Butler got the offensive rebound, but Ronald Nored turned the ball over.
The Bulldogs still had a chance to tie it after Jauwan Scaife missed two free throws with 18 seconds left, but Marshall had another turnover for Butler. Two Randy Davis free throws sealed the win for Ball State.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
