Women's Basketball Drops 64-47 Decision At In-State Rival Butler

Sunday, December 2

Indianapolis, IN

2:00 PM

Ball State University

Butler University

Ball St.

Butler

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Women's Basketball Drops 64-47 Decision At In-State Rival Butler

December 02, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Box

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Sophomore guard Maliah Howard-Bass logged her fourth-straight double-digit performance as she led the Cardinals in scoring with 11 points. Ball State (2-6) fell to in-state rival Butler (6-0) by a score of 64-47 Sunday afternoon in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Bulldogs started the contest with an aggressive style of defensive play over the Cardinals, resulting in a 9-1 run for Butler. Ball State was held to only one field goal in the first quarter which was a 3-pointer from Howard-Bass at the 4:54 mark. Butler would finish the first frame ahead, 13-5.

In the second quarter Ball State struggled to slow Butler down, as the Bulldogs continued to control the tempo of the game. The Cardinals put together a 5-0 run to come within six (19-13) at the 2:18 mark. Butler then outscored Ball State 5-to-3 to close out the first half.

The Bulldogs took a 24-16 advantage over the Cardinals at intermission. Both teams struggled from the floor in the first half, with Ball State shooting 19 percent (5-of-26) from the field while Butler shot 27 (8-of-29) percent. Howard-Bass led all scorers with 11 points heading into the third frame.

Butler's defense continued to give Ball State problems in the third quarter, holding the Cardinals to only 13 points after shooting 4-of-13 from the field. By the end of the third frame, Butler had continued to dominate inside the paint with 18 points while scoring 11 off of second chance opportunities to put the Bulldogs up by 14 (43-29) heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

By the fourth quarter, Ball State had found more of an offensive rhythm but it was too late. The Cardinals were unable to overcome the deficit and fell 64-47. .

The Ball State women's basketball team returns home Thursday night, Dec. 6, with a home game against Vanderbilt. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. The Cardinals defeated SEC foe Vanderbilt last season by a score of 88-79 in Nashville, Tenn.

For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's basketball team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateWBB.