JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Francis Kiapway hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left and added a free throw in the closing seconds to allow Ball State to escape North Florida with a 73-68 victory and its fifth straight win Thursday night.

Taylor Persons' jumper with 1:31 left gave the Cardinals a 69-63 lead, but North Florida closed the gap with a 3-pointer by Chris Davenport and a layup by Dallas Moore that made it 69-68 with 43 seconds to play.

Persons and Kiapway each knocked down three treys to spark Ball State (8-4) in its final nonconference game, the first meeting between the schools. The Cardinals open Mid-American Conference play Tuesday at Kent State.

Persons finished with 16 points to lead Ball State.

Moore scored 29 points to pace North Florida (4-11).

North Florida closes out its nonconference slate Monday against Palm Beach Atlantic and opens Atlantic Sun play Saturday against Jacksonville.

Copyright 2016 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.