TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Junior Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) netted 18-points to lead the Ball State women's basketball team to a 77-71 victory over Richmond in the first game of the Crimson Tide Holiday Classic hosted by Alabama Monday afternoon.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of this game particularly because our focus recently has been on developing confidence in our bench and establishing more depth,” said head coach Kelly Packard. “Our bench contributed 21 points including key plays on the offensive and defensive end."
With the win the Cardinals advance to the championship game Tuesday against the winner of the Alabama vs. Belmont game. Ball State improves to 7-4 on the season while Richmond drops to 10-2.
Senior guard Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) was just one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) dropped in 10 points for BSU.
The Spiders owned a 47-45 advantage with 15:27 to play in the game but freshman forward Suzanne Grossnickle (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) hit a jumper to tie the game 47-47, then sophomore Shannon Klei (Coldspring, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) hit a three-pointer to give Ball State its first lead 50-47 of the second half.
The Cardinals went on a 5-0 run to go up by six 55-49 with 12:16 on the clock but the Spiders would then rattle off seven straight to take a 57-55 lead at the 9:10 mark.
Freshman guard Patrice King (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy) hit a three-pointer with 8:41 left to give Ball State back its lead 58-57. After that the Cardinals never looked back keeping their lead while hitting free throws down the stretch with Green hitting the last free throw to lock in the win.
Ball State opened the game with a quick three-point basket from junior McDonald to take the early 3-0 leader over Richmond. That was just one of four three's McDonald had for the game. Both teams continued trading baskets throughout the first half with ten ties and nine lead changes.
The Cardinals biggest lead of the half was 30-22 with 4:13 on the clock after Green's three-point play sparked an 8-0 for BSU. Richmond rallied back tying the game at 34-34 with 45 seconds remaining. Two free throws later from the Spiders would end the first period with Richmond leading 36-34.
The Ball State University women's basketball team will face the winner of the Alabama vs. Belmont game in the championship of the Crimson Tide Holiday Classic. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.
