MUNCIE, Ind. -- Quincy Diggs scored 21 points and Akron held on to defeat Ball State 72-68 in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams Wednesday night.

Chris Bond made a 3-pointer for Ball State with 2.7 seconds remaining to cut the difference to three, 71-68. Akron's Nick Harney made one free throw and the Cardinals missed a long 3-point attempt to close out the game.

The score was tied up at 45 with 11:46 to go, and Ball State took its first lead of the game at 47-45. The Zips (9-5, 1-0) responded with a 7-0 run to go up 52-47.

Akron finished 17 of 24 on free throws, and 10 of its final 16 points came from the line. The Zips combined for 29 personal fouls, which led to 26 points for Ball State (3-9, 0-1).

Bond led the Cardinals with 18 points, including 9 of 10 on free-throw shooting.