Ball State University Athletics
Cardinals Women Win Third Straight
February 04, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Ball State played the gracious host for 23 minutes of Saturday's game against Buffalo at Worthen Arena, but then utilized a 15-5 run early in the second half to send the Bulls flying back to New York with a 70-56 loss. Erica Cotton led a trio of BSU players who scored in double figures with 16 points as the Cardinals won for the third-straight time to improve to 13-7 overall and 6-3 in Mid-American Conference play.
Neither team was particularly effective in the first half despite Ball State jumping out to a 9-2 advantage. Trailing by seven points, Buffalo scored six unanswered points to get within one at 11-10 and make a game of it for the next 9:51 of the half. The teams traded leads twice plus played to a pair of ties before the Cardinals concluded the period with a 28-27 advantage.
Both teams converted 36 percent of their field goals, but Buffalo kept it close by making good on 7-of-8 free throws. The Bulls also dominated the boards pulling down 24 rebounds. UB's 17 defensive rebounds were four more than BSU's 13 total.
Buffalo stayed within reach of Ball State for the first three-plus minutes of the second period, getting within a field goal at 35-33 with 16:52 remaining. Kelsey Corbin ignited a string of seven unanswered BSU points with her jumper. The Cardinals built a 10 point advantage on a layup by Corbin at the 12:15 mark. BSU increased its advantage to a game-high 21 points twice with under five minutes on the clock before securing the victory.
"I told the team at halftime that we needed to pick up our scoring," BSU head coach Tracy Roller said. "We needed to get the ball into the post and be more patient on offense. When we did that, things just fell together. I was really happy with our overall play. This was a key week for us in the standings and I think winning both puts us in position to contend for a championship."
Besides the 16-point effort of Cotton, Julie DeMuth added 13 points and came just one rebound short of her eighth double-double of the campaign with nine boards. Corbin added 12 points and tied Cotton for team-high honors with four assists. DeMuth added a game-best four steals.
Ball State shot 38.5 (25-of-65) from the field, including 6-of-15 from 3-point range. The Cardinals converted 14-of-17 (.824) of their free throws. BSU had a season-low eight turnovers, while forcing Buffalo into 21. UB posted a 44-35 advantage on the boards.
BSU, which remains tied for second place in the MAC's West Division with Western Michigan, travels to Kent State Wednesday before returning to Worthen Arena Saturday for the first of three-straight home games. The Cardinals will play host Saturday to defending MAC champion and preseason favorite Bowling Green. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.
