Thursday, March 15
Muncie, Ind.
7:00 PM
Ball State University
25-6
69
vs
60
Middle Tennessee
18-13
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tennessee
14
9
22
15
60
Ball State
12
17
20
20
69
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
WBB Advances In WNIT; Hosts Purdue Sunday
March 15, 2018 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team advanced to the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) with its 69-60 victory over Middle Tennessee Thursday night in Worthen Arena. With the win, the Cardinals improve to 25-6 overall while the Lady Raiders fall to 18-13 for the year.
This is the first time since 2016 that Ball State has advanced to the second round of the WNIT. That year the Cardinals defeated Big Ten foe Iowa, 77-72.
The Cardinals had five players reach double figures with junior guard Carmen Grande leading the way with a game-high 16 points. Behind Grande, was senior forward Destiny Washington who registered a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Senior forward Moriah Monaco chipped in 14 points while junior guard Jasmin Samz finished the game with 13 points. Senior guard Frannie Frazier rounded out the double digit scoring with 10.
The key story line in tonight's win for the Cardinals were free throws, Ball State went 28-of-37 (75 percent) from the charity stripe. The Cardinals also scored 26 points off of the Lady Raiders 18 miscues.
Both teams started the game with an aggressive style of defense. Middle Tennessee scored the first basket but Ball State answered with an 8-2 run to take a six-point advantage over the Lady Raiders at the 6:10 mark. After that, Middle Tennessee closed the first quarter with a 12-4 scoring spree that would allow the Lady Raiders to take a 14-12 lead into the second frame of play.
The Cardinals then started the second quarter hot on offense going 4-of-5 from the field to go up 22-14 at the 6:56 mark. Frazier, Washington and Monaco all made baskets during the 10-0 run. Ball State outscored the Lady Raiders 17-to-9 to take a 29-23 lead over Middle Tennessee at intermission. Monaco and Grande combined for 17 of the Cardinals 29 first half points.
Ball State had pushed its margin to 36-24 by the 8:36 mark of the third quarter. After that, Middle Tennessee fought its way back into the game, cutting the Cardinals lead to five at 36-31. The Cardinals responded quickly with strong defense and an 8-2 run to quickly go back up, 44-33. The Lady Raiders then turned things around to end the third frame, outscoring Ball State 12-to-3 and shooting 50 percent with less than a minute on the clock but the Cardinals held on tight to a 49-45 edge heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was a tight affair as both teams played close. The Cardinals began to get frustrated defensively and started to foul the Lady Raiders, fortunately Middle Tennessee struggled from the charity stripe throughout the contest. Samz and Washington knocked down some key jumpers to keep the Cardinals ahead of the Lady Raiders, leading 60-55 just under the two minute mark. Ball State finished the game strong the remainder of the contest for the victory.
The Ball State women's basketball team will host the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Sunday in a re-match against Big Ten foe Purdue at 2 p.m. in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals defeated the Boilermakers 66-60 during non-conference action this season in West Lafayette on Dec. 4.
To purchase tickets for the game, log on to www.ballstatesports.com, call 888.BSU.TICKET or visit the Stoops Buick GMC Ticket Center inside Worthen Arena. Tickets will be $10 and children 13 and under are FREE. Season ticket holders can secure their personal seat locations until noon Sunday at ballstatesports.com/myaccount or by calling 888.BSU.TICKET.
This is the first time since 2016 that Ball State has advanced to the second round of the WNIT. That year the Cardinals defeated Big Ten foe Iowa, 77-72.
The Cardinals had five players reach double figures with junior guard Carmen Grande leading the way with a game-high 16 points. Behind Grande, was senior forward Destiny Washington who registered a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Senior forward Moriah Monaco chipped in 14 points while junior guard Jasmin Samz finished the game with 13 points. Senior guard Frannie Frazier rounded out the double digit scoring with 10.
The key story line in tonight's win for the Cardinals were free throws, Ball State went 28-of-37 (75 percent) from the charity stripe. The Cardinals also scored 26 points off of the Lady Raiders 18 miscues.
Both teams started the game with an aggressive style of defense. Middle Tennessee scored the first basket but Ball State answered with an 8-2 run to take a six-point advantage over the Lady Raiders at the 6:10 mark. After that, Middle Tennessee closed the first quarter with a 12-4 scoring spree that would allow the Lady Raiders to take a 14-12 lead into the second frame of play.
The Cardinals then started the second quarter hot on offense going 4-of-5 from the field to go up 22-14 at the 6:56 mark. Frazier, Washington and Monaco all made baskets during the 10-0 run. Ball State outscored the Lady Raiders 17-to-9 to take a 29-23 lead over Middle Tennessee at intermission. Monaco and Grande combined for 17 of the Cardinals 29 first half points.
Ball State had pushed its margin to 36-24 by the 8:36 mark of the third quarter. After that, Middle Tennessee fought its way back into the game, cutting the Cardinals lead to five at 36-31. The Cardinals responded quickly with strong defense and an 8-2 run to quickly go back up, 44-33. The Lady Raiders then turned things around to end the third frame, outscoring Ball State 12-to-3 and shooting 50 percent with less than a minute on the clock but the Cardinals held on tight to a 49-45 edge heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was a tight affair as both teams played close. The Cardinals began to get frustrated defensively and started to foul the Lady Raiders, fortunately Middle Tennessee struggled from the charity stripe throughout the contest. Samz and Washington knocked down some key jumpers to keep the Cardinals ahead of the Lady Raiders, leading 60-55 just under the two minute mark. Ball State finished the game strong the remainder of the contest for the victory.
The Ball State women's basketball team will host the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Sunday in a re-match against Big Ten foe Purdue at 2 p.m. in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals defeated the Boilermakers 66-60 during non-conference action this season in West Lafayette on Dec. 4.
To purchase tickets for the game, log on to www.ballstatesports.com, call 888.BSU.TICKET or visit the Stoops Buick GMC Ticket Center inside Worthen Arena. Tickets will be $10 and children 13 and under are FREE. Season ticket holders can secure their personal seat locations until noon Sunday at ballstatesports.com/myaccount or by calling 888.BSU.TICKET.
Team Stats
MT
BALLST
FG%
.339
.316
3FG%
.286
.278
FT%
.667
.757
RB
45
39
TO
18
13
STL
6
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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