Ball State University
Central Michigan
WBB Defeats Central Michigan Saturday
January 15, 2011 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team (7-10, 2-2 MAC) defeated Mid-American Conference West Division leader Central Michigan (11-5, 3-1 MAC), 86-77, Saturday in Worthen Arena.
Ball State had three players in double figures, senior guard Ty'Ronda Benning, along with Emily Maggert, tied for team high scoring honors with 22 points apiece. Freshman forward Jazmin Hitchens had a career high 20 points. Both Maggert and Benning had double doubles with 10 rebounds apiece, and Benning just missed a triple double, adding nine assists in the contest.
In a game that was close the entire way, Ball State pulled away with 1:51 left in the contest on an Ebony Jackson layup off a Benning assist to give Ball State a 75-69 advantage. Jackson was fouled on the play and made her free throw, giving Ball State its largest lead, 76-69, since early in the first half.
The game saw six lead changes and seven ties, but the Cardinals took the lead for good, 63-62, with 6:25 to play on a layup by Maggert. After that both teams traded baskets before Ball State went on a 5-1 run, sparked by Maggert, allowing the Cardinals to go ahead of CMU, 68-63, with 4:27 left in the game.
The Cardinals forced 17 turnovers and limited Central Michigan to 43 percent shooting from the field, but suffered a 39 percent shooting mark from the field to keep the game close the entire way.
Ball State came out of the gates strong as Benning knocked down a three pointer in the opening minutes. Both teams throughout the first half traded baskets after four lead changes and six ties, Ball State pulled away from the Chippewas at the 10:06 mark after a layup from Hitchens. After that the Cardinals controlled the remainder of the half up four (35-31) over CMU at intermission.
The Ball State University women's basketball team continues MAC play when it travels to Northern Illinois Wednesday for an 8 p.m. (EST) tipoff at the Convocation Center.
