Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Western Kentucky
Women's Basketball Falls 61-58 to Western Kentucky
November 17, 2009 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind- The Ball State University women's basketball team fell 61-58 to Western Kentucky Monday night in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals fall to 0-2 on the season while the Lady Toppers improve to 2-0.
Before the game, Ball State unveiled their Mid-American Conference Championship and NCAA banners in a celebration of last year's success in a brief ceremony.
Junior forward Emily Maggert led the way for the Cardinals with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The double-double performance was Maggert's second of the season. Senior guard Audrey McDonald dropped in 11 points and dished out four assists, while sophomore guard Patrice King had 10 points on the night.
In the first half both teams traded baskets most of the way. Ball State led 20-18 with 8:46 remaining in the half after Maggert hit a three pointer for the Cardinals. Western Kentucky would then go on two short scoring runs to build a 32-25 edge over Ball State at the 5:35 mark.
Ball State answered with 7-0 run itself which was led by free throws and a layup from Maggert and then a trey from senior Danielle Gratton to tie the game 32-32 which ended the half. Gratton would end the game with nine points, eight rebounds and a team-high six assists.
The Lady Toppers came out of the gates quickly in the second half, scoring seven straight unanswered points to go up 39-32 over the Cardinals. King hit her first three pointer of the night to snap WKU's run.
Maggert knocked down her free throw to tie the game 43-43, and Ball State would take its first lead of the second half at the 12:42 after King hit two from the charity stripe making it a 45-43 game.
The second period pretty much mimicked the first as both teams went toe-to-toe at both ends of the court.
Western Kentucky went on a 7-0 run with 5:27 left in the game to take a 56-49 edge over Ball State. The Cardinals again answered, trimming down their deficit to 56-54 with a Maggert three pointer just under the four minute mark. Shortly after that McDonald tied the game with free throws 56-56.
With just seconds remaining it was a one-point ball game with WKU leading the way 59-58. The Lady Toppers would hit their free throws down the stretch to win the ball game as a Ball State three pointer at the buzzer fell short.
