MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team (1-1) earned its first victory of the season after defeating Robert Morris (0-2) 85-81 Friday night at Worthen Arena as part of the preseason WNIT consolation round. Kelly Packard got her first win as Ball State's head women's basketball coach.
Ball State shot 57.1 percent from field (26-of-47). Junior Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) led the Cardinals with 25 points and was 7-of-11 from behind the arc. Junior Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) scored a personal best 18 points and sophomore Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris) finished the night with 19. Senior Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North) dished out 13 assists for a career-high.
Gratton got the Cardinals off to a good start in the opening minutes hitting a three-pointer for the first basket of the game. Maggert drew a foul and hit both free throws to put Ball State up 5-0 over Robert Morris.
After Robert Morris scored its first basket of the game at the 18:21 mark the Cardinals rattled off nine straight points building a 14-2 lead over the Colonials. Ball State's defense held RMU scoreless for over seven minutes.
McDonald hit her first of seven three's with 8:30 left to play in the first half which gave Ball State a 24-15 edge over Robert Morris.
The Colonials fought back tying the game 27-27 at the 5:59 mark. Ball State continued its strong shooting and ended the half with a 42-34 edge over RMU.
Ball State did not trail Robert Morris the entire game and led by 10 points with 7:18 remaining. Robert Morris came within two (83-81) with 36 seconds left but a lay-up by Maggert sealed the 85-81 victory for the Cardinals.
The Ball State University women's basketball team continues action in the preseason WNIT consolation round when it plays Cleveland State at Worthen Arena Saturday. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.
