BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team (0-1) dropped its season opener and the first round of the preseason WNIT at Indiana (1-0) by a score of 84-68 Friday night in Assembly Hall.
"Everything is new offensively and defensively for this team," said head coach Kelly Packard. "When we decided to compete we competed. It is tough to come back after the start that we had in the opening minutes. Overall it is November basketball."
Despite the loss the Cardinals managed to out rebound the Hoosiers 38-37. Sophomore Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris) pulled down seven boards to lead Ball State. Senior Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) and freshman Suzanne Grossnickle (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) both had six rebounds apiece.
Junior Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) paved the way for the Cardinals offensively with 13 points. Junior Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) scored 12, while Green earned 11 and Bloomington native senior Kiley Jarrett also added 11.
After the Hoosiers won the opening tip, they rattled off 10 straight points before Ball State's Gratton hit a lay up at the 15:48 mark snapping IU's run.
Indiana's defense held the Cardinals scoreless again allowing them to build a 19-4 edge at the 13 minute mark. Indiana's biggest lead of the half was 42-24 with 2:41 to play. Green hit a jumper and would then go to the free throw line to bring the Cardinals within 15.
Ball State came within nine 42-33 after going to the charity stripe three different times with just 12 seconds left in the half. IU would then hit two free throws with just seconds before halftime making it a 56-40 ball game.
The Cardinals came out strong in the second half shaving Indiana's lead to 46-38 after free throws and a three-point play from Green. BSU held IU scoreless for just over two minutes. BSU continued trailing by only eight points with 16:48 left in the game.
Indiana continued with its hot shooting and the Cardinals couldn't overcome its early deficit losing the game, 84-68.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues preseason play when it hosts the preseason WNIT consolation bracket, Friday and Saturday at Worthen Arena.
