Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Kent State
WBB Defeats MAC Leader Kent State in OT
January 22, 2011 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team (8-11, 3-3 MAC) defeated Mid-American Conference leader Kent State (14-4, 5-1 MAC) by a score of 69-65 in overtime Saturday afternoon in Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals had three players in double figures; senior forward Emily Maggert led Ball State with 19 points while senior guard Ty'Ronda Benning chipped in 18 points on the night and teammate freshman forward Jazmin Hitchens had her first double-double of her career with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The Cardinals managed to take back the lead early in the second half, 31-30, off of a layup from sophomore guard Shanee' Jackson.? Four straight three pointers from Maggert, Hitchens, Jackson and Benning allowed the Cardinals to build a 42-34 cushion over Kent State with 13:46 remaining.? ?Kent State orchestrated an 8-0 run to make it a 44-42 ball game under the ten minute mark.? With 3:55 in the game Taisja Jones hit two free throws and so did Jamilah Humes allowing Kent State to take the lead back 52-50 for the first time since the start of the second half.? Ball State made six straight free throws to go up 58-54 but the Golden Flashes tied the game 58-58 with 2.3 seconds to play sending the game into overtime.
Benning hit two three pointers while going 2-for-2 from the charity stripe to give the Cardinals the 66-60 advantage over Kent State in overtime.? Hitchens made a three point play after a layup and a free throw giving Ball State the 69-61 led under the one minute mark which eventually sealed the victory for BSU.? ???
Back-to-back layups from Benning and freshman forward Katie Murphy allowed the Cardinals to take the early 4-0 edge over Kent State in the opening minutes of the contest.? KSU took the lead soon after that and would control the remainder of the first half.? The Cardinals at one point found themselves down by 12 (26-14) with 4:36 left on the clock.? Ball State put together an 11-0 run with help from Benning, freshman guard Brandy Woody, Maggert and Hitchens that pulled BSU within 26-25 of the Golden Flashes at the 2:03 mark.? Kent State headed into intermission up 28-27 over the Cardinals.
The Ball State University women's basketball team continues MAC East Divisional play at home Wednesday as they host the RedHawks of Miami University in Worthen Arena at 7 p.m.
