MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Ball State found itself in an unfamiliar situation at halftime, deadlocked for the first time after 30 minutes all season.

The No. 14 Cardinals and Central Michigan were still tied midway through the fourth quarter when MiQuale Lewis stepped up, carrying six times for 63 yards and setting up Nate Davis' fourth touchdown pass of the game in Ball State's 31-24 victory last night.

The win clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title for Ball State (11-0, 7-0 MAC) and set a school record for wins in a season, with representatives from the Fiesta, Motor City and International bowls looking on.

The Cardinals have never played for the league championship, and can claim the division outright if they beat Western Michigan on Nov. 25.

"It was a big win," said Lewis, who finished with 177 yards rushing on 28 carries. "For us to win the MAC championship, we knew we had to come through here, through Central. Great team. Well coached. We knew we'd get their A game."

The win broke a streak of four consecutive losses to Central Michigan (8-3, 6-1), which had won the last two division titles and defeated the Cardinals by 20 points last season.

The Chippewas can still steal a spot in the MAC title game again if they defeat Eastern Michigan, Ball State loses to Western Michigan and a number of other tiebreakers come through.

The Cardinals went ahead with 7:29 left when Davis found Briggs Orsbon in the corner of the end zone from 11 yards out, capping a drive in which Lewis carried the bulk of the load. Central Michigan had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds, but Dan LeFevour was intercepted by Sean Baker with 27 seconds left.

"It shows that we are resilient," Cardinals coach Brady Hoke said, "and can win tightly contested games."

Davis completed 12 of 22 passes for 175 yards, including two TD passes to Louis Robinson.

LeFevour completed 30 of 44 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns.

The 10-10 deadlock at halftime marked the first time in 11 games this season that Ball State had not led at halftime.