Ball State Cardinals vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Final: Cardinals upset Eagles in OT, 60-59

The Eagles are undefeated at the Convocation Center no more.

In the MAC opener for both schools, Ball State (6-6, 1-0) handed Eastern Michigan (11-3, 0-1) its first home loss of the 2014-15 season, 60-59 in overtime.

EMU was an unblemished 8-0 at home, and had won 17 straight dating back to last season, before the Cardinals came roaring into Ypsilanti. Ball State got 15 from freshman Sean Sellers, including a game winning three in overtime, and 15 from Franko House in what was an ugly affair throughout.

The Cardinals held a 22-20 halftime lead before Eastern Michigan exploded out of the break with a 12-1 run. The Eagles would stay out in front until the final minute, when a Jeremiah Davis tip-in knotted the game at 50. Ball State had a chance to win in regulation, but a Sellers three point attempt rolled in and out with two seconds remaining.

In overtime, a layup from EMU's Mike Talley broke a 55-55 tie with 28 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, House found Sellers for a three pointer with 15 seconds left, giving the Cardinals a 60-59 lead. A three point attempt from Talley missed the mark, and the upset was clinched.

This one was hard to watch at times. Ball State shot a chilly 33% from the field, Eastern Michigan a frigid 27%. Neither team shied away from the three ball, though. The Cardinals hit 7 of 28 from behind the arc while the Eagles connected on 6 of 25. Ball State was able to hang on despite subpar free throw shooting, so often a killer in games like this. BSU hit 11 of 19 freebies, EMU was 19 of 28.

The paint in Ypsilanti was a dangerous place to be on Wednesday night. Ball State controlled the glass, 51-43. BSU's Matt Kamieniecki ripped down a game high 14 rebounds. Eastern Michigan got 11 from Mike Samuels and 10 from Karrington Ward.

Raven Lee paced the Eagles with a game high 16. Ward scored 15 to go with his 10 boards and Jodan Price chipped in 10. Perhaps the biggest disappointment for EMU was Anali Okoloji. The senior forward shot 0-8 from the field and failed to score for the first time all season.

Seeing increased time in his second game with the team since his transfer from Cincinnati, Ball State guard Jeremiah Davis logged 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in 30 minutes.

Both teams continue conference play on Saturday. Ball State welcomes Central Michigan to Muncie, Eastern Michigan travels to Miami.