WBB Drops Senior Day Game In Overtime To Toledo, 76-66

Saturday, March 4

MUNCIE, IND.

2:00 PM

Ball State University

21-9, 14-4MAC

University of Toledo

21-8, 12-6MAC

OT 1

Toledo

Ball State

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

WBB Drops Senior Day Game In Overtime To Toledo, 76-66

March 04, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Ball State vs Toledo Final Stats Mid-American Conference Tournament Bracket Highlights Photo Gallery

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (21-9, 14-4 MAC) closed out its Mid-American Conference regular season action with a heartbreaking 76-66 overtime loss to Toledo (21-8, 12-6 MAC) Saturday afternoon in Worthen Arena.

Despite the loss, the Cardinals remain the No. 2 seed in the upcoming 2017 Mid-American Conference Tournament and will be making its 27th appearance at the tourney. Ball State has advanced to Cleveland in 16 out of the past 18 seasons and has punched their ticket straight to Quicken Loans Arena four out of the five seasons under Ball State head women's basketball coach Brady Sallee.

Prior to today's contest, the Cardinals said good-bye to their three seniors; Renee Bennett, Calyn Hosea and Jill Morrison. Bennett led the squad in scoring with her 10th double-double of the season and her 12th of her career after a 23 point, 11 rebound performance. Morrison was the second highest scorer for Ball State after registering 15 points.

The contest consisted of 10 ties and 14 lead changes with neither team leading by more than 10 points.

The game started out as expected with both teams battling in their MAC regular season finale. Ball State and Toledo played close to each other the entire first quarter but Ball State managed to take a 19-16 edge over the Rockets heading into the second period.

In a senior day showcase, Bennett and Morrison sparked a quick run for the Cardinals to put Ball State in front by six (24-18) with 7:54 left in the second quarter. But the Cardinals lead didn't last for long as Toledo scored the next four points to come within two (24-22). Morrison and Monaco each scored five points in a matter of minutes to give the Cardinals its largest lead of the half, 32-22, at the 3:18 mark. Toledo continued to play at the heels of the Cardinals, though, and would close out the half with an 11-0 run to take a 33-32 lead over Ball State at intermission.

Toledo carried its second quarter momentum into the third stanza, as the Rockets opened with an 8-2 run to take a 41-36 advantage over Ball State. The Cardinals then orchestrated a 12-2 run to regain the lead (48-43) with 2:32 left on the clock. Bennett scored eight of those 12 points while getting help from teammates Morrison and sophomore guard Destiny Washington. The story of the two teams fighting to the very end continued as Toledo pushed the pace, outscoring the Cardinals 7-2 to make it a 50-50 ball game heading into the final period.

The last quarter was a nail-biter; Ball State took a four-point edge (58-54) with 6:24 remaining which came off of a jumper from Monaco. But in true Toledo fashion they would quickly come back to regain a small lead over Ball State. After that, both teams traded baskets with 52 seconds left sophomore guard Carmen Grande drove it to the basket for a layup to give Ball State the 64-62 lead. Toledo would then get fouled on its ensuing possession and would knock down both from the charity stripe to send the game into overtime. Toledo would outscore Ball State 12-2 in overtime to clinch the victory.

The Ball State women's basketball team will play the third game Wednesday at approximately 5 p.m. in Quicken Loans Arena against the winner of No. 7 Buffalo versus No. 10 Bowling Green which will be played Monday night in Buffalo, NY. During regular season action the Cardinals defeated Buffalo and took two wins from Bowling Green.