MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team (5-3) earned an 82-63 victory over in-state rival Indiana State (2-6) Saturday night in Worthen Arena. With the win the Cardinals remain undefeated at home in 2008-09 with a 5-0 record.
For the first time this season four Cardinals managed double digit figures. Senior guard Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North) matched her career-high after scoring 19 points while teammate sophomore forward Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris) also added 19 to the night. Junior forward Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) earned her second double-double of the season after netting 17 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) scored 14.
The Sycamores opened the second half with a basket to tie the game 40-40. Indiana State would take its only lead of the half 45-46 at the 14:39 mark. Both teams would trade baskets and tie much like the first half, the last tie was 55-55 with 8:45 left in the game. The Cardinals would regain the lead for the last time with 7:32 remaining. A late 20-2 run sparked by a key rebound from junior guard Audrey McDonald (kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) who had nine boards on the night helped the Cardinals maintain their lead over the Sycamore's for the victory. Ball State out rebounded Indiana State 48-to-28.
In the first half both teams traded baskets. Indiana State got on the board first in the opening minutes of play taking an early 2-0 lead over Ball State. After that there were five lead changes and six ties. The Cardinals led by as many as seven (38-31) with 5:14 remaining after a lay-up from Maggert. The Sycamores went on a 7-0 run to tie the game 38-38 with 2:59 left. Jarrett's lay-up with seconds remaining gave the Cardinals a 40-38 edge over the Indiana State to end the half. The Sycamore's biggest lead of the half was three (8-5) at the 17:03 mark.
Ball State University women's basketball travels to Western Kentucky Saturday, Dec. 20. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. (CT).
