Bradley edges Ball State 54-53

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye scored 18 points with three assists and grabbed eight rebounds as Bradley edged Ball State 54-53 in a season opener on Friday night.

Lautier-Ogunleye sank 9 of 15 from the line for the Braves. Callum Barker added 14 points and nine rebounds. The team hit 31.9 percent from the field overall and 59.4 percent from the line.

Bradley took an early lead then fell behind to trail 28-27 at the break. The Braves regained the advantage late in the second half on an 11-2 run capped by back-to-back 3-pointers by Luuk Van Bree and were up 50-47 with 3:18 to play. Ball State tied it 50-50 on a 3-pointer by Naiel Smith with 2:07 left but Bradly was able to edge the Cardinals at the free-throw line in the final minute for the win.

Smith led Ball State with eight points and seven rebounds.