AKRON, Ohio - The Ball State University women's basketball team (12-7, 5-1 MAC) captured its first win over a MAC East Division opponent Saturday with its come from behind 61-55 victory over Akron (7-12, 2-4 MAC) this afternoon in Rhodes Arena.
Senior guard Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North) led the Cardinals in scoring with 15 points. Jarrett went 4-of-7 from behind the arc, she also had five assists. Only one other Cardinal managed double digit scoring and that was junior guard Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) with 14 points. McDonald hit all four of her three-pointers in the second half. Defensively senior guard Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) led the team in rebounds with nine.
The Cardinals defense held Akron to 25.8 percent shooting in the second half while Ball State improved to 50 percent from the field. Ball State remained down by 12 (47-35) with 13:58 left in the game.
A layup from Jarrett helped Ball State go on a 13-0 run to take its first lead of the second half 50-49 at the 6:59 mark. Akron answered back but the Cardinals would then hit a 3-pointer from junior forward Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) to put Ball State up 53-52 with 6:25 remaining in the game. The Cardinals kept control of the game hitting free throws down the stretch to win the contest.
The Cardinals struggled from the field in the first half despite scoring the first basket after a layup from sophomore forward Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris). The Cardinals only shot 34.6 percent from the field while Akron shot 50 percent. Ball State lacked in rebounds also with the Zips pulling down 19 boards to the Cardinals 14.
Akron led 26-16 with 6:57 remaining in the first half before freshman forward Jade Barber (Louisville, Ky./Ballard) hit a shot which sparked a 5-0 run for the Cardinals. Akron would hit a three-pointer to go up 29-21 with 5:16 on the clock. Free throws from freshman Patrice King (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy) and Maggert would cut the Zips lead to five but Akron would then go on a 6-0 run to end the half up 36-24.
The Ball State University women's basketball team plays a non-conference game Tuesday at Worthen Arena against North Dakota at 7 p.m.
