Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Murray State
WBB Earns 81-72 Victory Over Murray State
November 19, 2011 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (1-3) earned an 81-72 victory over Murray State (2-2) Saturday afternoon in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals now own the all-time series record over the Racers 2-1.
Jazmin Hitchens led the Cardinals with a career-high 22 points plus added seven rebounds in the winning effort. Brandy Woody tallied 10 points, while Katie Murphy added eight points and eight rebounds.
Ball State managed to shoot .538 percent from field goal range, including a 64 percent mark in the second half. The hot shooting by the Cardinals allowed them to pull away from their 35-32 halftime -advantage. Ball State also led on the glass out-rebounding the Racers 47-to-32.
The Cardinals led by 11 (67-56) with 7:04 left on the clock. The Racers came within five (69-64) with just 5:24 remaining but scoring sprees from Hitchens and Murphy allowed the Cardinals to go back up 75-64 with 2:13 left.
After multiple ties and lead changes in the second half, the Cardinals got some help from behind the arc, which included three pointers from Carter and Jordan Huber along with a fast break layup form Hitchens that earned Ball State the 63-54 advantage over Murray State with 9:10 left to play.
Ball State's lead would get as high as 12 twice in the second half and Murray State could get no closer than the five point deficit with 5:24 remaining.
It was a low scoring game at the start of the first half, and the game was tied 11-11 at the 13:16 mark. But Ball State orchestrated 6-0 run which was sparked by a Hitchens layup, giving the Cardinals a 17-11 edge over Murray State.
The Racers came back to tie the game, 27-27, but baskets from Hitchens and Huber helped the Cardinals end the half up 35-32 over Murray State.
Ball State returns to action Monday with a 7 p.m. home game vs. Oakland City. The Cardinals will play at Evansville Nov. 29, before returning to Worthen Arena for a Dec. 1 home game vs. Detroit Mercy.
