MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State University women's basketball team (11-6, 4-0 MAC) took the top spot in the Mid-American Conference West Division with its 67-53 win over Toledo (9-8, 3-1 MAC) Saturday afternoon in Worthen Arena. Ball State has not gone 4-0 in league play since the 2006-07.
Senior guard Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) scored 17 points with 5-of-8 shooting from the three-point line. McDonald also became third all-time at Ball State for career three-pointers made with 190. Sophomore forward Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris) netted 17 points while senior guard Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North) scored 11 points. Defensively junior Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) led Ball State in rebounds with 14, she also had five assists and six steals.
The Cardinals continued to lead in the second half up 52-36 with 8:51 left in the game. Ball State's strong defense seemed to fluster Toledo's scoring attempts with the Rockets only scoring six points from the start of the second half up until the 8:00 minute mark.
With McDonald's three-pointer with 1:32 left in the first half, she moved into third all-time at Ball State for career three-pointers made with 190. McDonald made five three-pointers in the first half alone going 5-of-7 from behind the arc. McDonald passed former Cardinal Tina Bolte who had 189 three pointers from 2004-07.
The majority of the first half was an up tempo ball game for both teams as they continued to trade baskets until Ball State pulled away after a 7-0 run with 7:12 remaining. Fittingly the run was sparked by a trey from McDonald. Ball State continued to build its lead to 38-27 with 2:49 on the clock after a layup from freshman Suzanne Grossnickle (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East). McDonald hit her fifth three pointer to put the Cardinals up by 14 (43-29) with 1:33 left before ending the half with Ball State leading, 43-31.
The Ball State University women's basketball team travels to Northern Illinois Wednesday with the game beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
