BOWLING GREEN, Ohio ?The Ball State University women's basketball team (14-8, 6-2 MAC) dropped an 76-67 decision to MAC East Divisional lead Bowling Green (19-2, 8-0 MAC) . BGSU has won 19-straight games and remains the only undefeated team in the Mid-American Conference.
Three players scored in double figures with sophomore forward Emily Maggert leading the way with 18 points and had 10 boards for her third double-double of the season. Junior forward Danielle Gratton netted 17 points while teammate senior guard Kiley Jarrett had 10 for the night.
Ball State opened the second half with back-to-back baskets from senior guard Porchia Green and a three-pointer from junior Audrey McDonald which cut Bowling Green's lead to 39-35 with 15:37 left in the game.
Freshman Jade Barber hit a layup and was fouled on the play. She then connected on her free throw making it a three-point play for Ball State with the Cardinals still trailing 41-39 at the 12:56 mark.
Just like the first half the Cardinals would inch their way back into the game but Bowling Green would continue to go on scoring spurts building its lead back to 53-41 with 10:57 remaining.
BGSU continued hitting its shots eventually going up 65-55 with 4:19 left on the clock. Freshman guard Patrice King hit two free throws to bring the Cardinals within eight 67-59 with 3:24 to play.
The Falcons led 69-61 with 3:03 left, Green drained a three-pointer at the 1:31 mark making it a 69-64 ball game but BGSU went on to claim the nine point victory.
Bowling Green opened the first half with a three-pointer eventually building a 12-4 edge over the Cardinals with 16:48 remaining in the first half. Gratton scored the first two baskets for BSU. She continued her hot hand hitting a three-pointer to cut the Falcons lead to 14-9 at the 16:04 mark. Gratton then hit another jumper to bring the Cardinals within three, 14-11.
Early turnovers continued to plague the Cardinals along with foul trouble allowing BGSU to build a 21-13 cushion with 11:55 on the clock.
Ball State would turn up its defense allowing Maggert to rattle off six straight points which cut BGSU's lead to 23-19 with 6:08 remaining in the first period. That was the closest the Cardinals would get before trailing the Falcons at the half, 37-26.
The Ball State University women's basketball team continues league action on the road when it travels to Buffalo Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
