Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Michigan
Women?s Basketball Loses Season Opener At Michigan 87-67
November 14, 2009 | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Ball State University women's basketball team dropped its season opener 87-67 to Big Ten foe Michigan Friday night in Crisler Arena.
Three Cardinals managed to score in double figures with junior forward Emily Maggert leading the way with a double-double after scoring 16 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Junior guard Ty'Ronda Benning ended the night with 13 points while teammate senior guard Audrey McDonald chipped in 12.
Neither team had played an exhibition game before tonight's contest. After a rocky beginning on both ends of the court Michigan's Veronica Hicks hit a trey to put the Wolverines on the board first in the opening minutes of the first period. Maggert quickly answered back with a three point field goal of her own to tie the contest 3-3.
The Wolverines went up 11-3 over the Cardinals with 13:03 remaining in the first half. Michigan's defense held Ball State scoreless after its first field goal up until the 12:43 mark when senior guard McDonald knocked down her first three pointer of the season.
Sophomore forward Amber Crago and junior guard Benning hit back-to-back field goals to cut the Wolverines lead to 27-16 with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. Benning's field goal marked the first for the transfer in her debut season for the Cardinals.
At the half, Michigan was up 44-23 after shooting 46.9 percent from the field while Ball State shot only 29.0 percent. The Wolverines out rebounded the Cardinals 23-to-19. Maggert led Ball State at the break with 10 points while Benning pulled down the most rebounds with five for BSU.
Maggert scored the first layup for the Cardinals in the beginning of the second half making it a 46-25 ball game. A few baskets later and some strong defense from Ball State freshman guard Chloe Barnes was able to score her first collegiate basket to cut the Cardinals deficit to 18 (50-32) at the 14:36 mark.
Sophomore guard Patrice King layup with 12:58 to play got the Cardinals within 17 (53-36) of the Wolverines but strong shooting and defense from Michigan was too much for Ball State overcome its early deficit.
The Ball State women's basketball team takes on Western Kentucky in its home opener Monday at Worthen Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The Cardinals will unveil their MAC Championship and NCAA banners before the game while recognizing last seasons accomplishments in a brief ceremony.
