MUNCIE, Ind. -- Jarrod Jones scored 20 points to lead Ball State to a 78-69 victory over Western Michigan in a Mid-American Conference opener Saturday.

Randy Davis added 16 points and Chris Bond and Jesse Berry 11 each for the Cardinals (9-4), who won their third in a row and are now 7-0 at home. Bond grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Demetrius Ward scored 16 points and Matt Stainbrook 14 for the Broncos (6-9).

Jones, who notched his fourth straight game of at least 20 points, went 7 of 15 and made all six free throws.

The Cardinals never trailed and led by 16 points midway through the second half.

Ball State outshot Western Michigan 45.5 percent (25 of 55) to 40.3 percent (25 of 62) and forced 14 turnovers while committing only nine.