MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team improved to 2-1 on the season with an exciting 61-60 last second win over Cleveland State (2-2) Saturday night in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals won both of their preseason WNIT consolation rounds this weekend.
Ball State withstood a 26-8 Cleveland State run after the Cardinals had led 51-34 earlier in the second half. The Vikings fought back to take a 60-59 edge over Ball State with just seconds left in the game. Sophomore Emily Maggert's (Paris, Ill./Paris) put back after senior Porchia Green's (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) missed three-pointer with just 8.0 seconds remaining earned the Cardinals the victory over the Vikings.
For the game Maggert led Ball State with 16 points while teammate junior Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) had 15 on the night. Audrey McDonald managed 14 points and added four more three's to her 11 total from behind the arc this weekend. McDonald ended tournament play with a total of 13 three-pointers. McDonald also tied her career high in assists with six which she has done three times.
For the second straight night Gratton opened the game with a three-pointer to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. Both teams battled back and fourth up until the nine minute mark in the first half. The game was tied 16-16 before Gratton hit a jumper to put Ball State back on top.
The Cardinals went on a 12-2 run to end the half ending with back-to-back three-pointers from McDonald. During the run freshmen Suzanne Grossnickle (Belleville,Ill./Belleville
East) and Patrice King (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy) had four points. Ball State headed into the locker room with a 32-19 edge over the Vikings which was the Cardinals largest halftime lead so far this season.
The Ball State University women's basketball team travels to Illinois State Tuesday. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.
