Ball State University
Urbana University (Ohio)
Cardinals Overpower Urbana, Enter MAC Play with Three Straight Wins
December 30, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Jasmin Samz drops career-high 22 points, Abi Haynes racks up six steals in 99-62 win
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Senior guard Jasmin Samz scored a career-high 22 points and added five assists Sunday, leading five Cardinals in double figures, as the Ball State women's basketball team overpowered Urbana, 99-62, at Worthen Arena.
Ball State hit a season-high 13 3-pointers on the way to closing out non-conference play at 5-7 with its third straight win. Urbana dropped to 1-10.
The 13 treys were the most for the Cardinals since 2001 and tied for the fourth-most in program history. BSU also established its dominance on the interior, outscoring Urbana 46-14 in the paint. Sophomore post player Oshlynn Brown nearly had another double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Freshman guard Abi Haynes matched Samz with five assists and also racked up six steals, matching the most by any MAC player in a game this season. She had just five steals on the year entering the day.
Still, Ball State head coach Brady Sallee identified plenty of areas his team needs to be better as Mid-American Conference play begins. Specifically, he didn't like the Cardinals' first-half rebounding effort (the teams were tied on the boards at the break) and defensive performance.
"Some good things to take out of this, but some things we definitely have to learn from," Sallee said. "I don't think we were great on defense really all day. I thought we played on our heels a little bit.
"We just have to continue to learn and get better. But we end non-conference on a three-game winning streak, playing a little bit better. Now we have to be able to flip the script and get ready for a gauntlet, which MAC play is going to be."
"Some good things to take out of this, but some things we definitely need to learn from."@BSUCoachBrady still finding teaching opportunities after the Cardinal close non-conference play with a decisive win over Urbana.#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/M3TffnzedJ
— Ball State WBB (@BallStateWBB) December 30, 2018
.@jasminsamz24 goes coast to coast for a fast break layup giving her a new career high of 22 points.#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/0t0H5ySO22
— Ball State WBB (@BallStateWBB) December 30, 2018
The Cardinals used a 27-8 run during the first quarter to take complete control Sunday, built their advantage to 20 points in the second quarter and never led by fewer than that the rest of the way against the overmatched Blue Knights.
Ball State turned defense into offense, forcing 23 Urbana turnovers and cashing them in for 34 points on the other end. They scored 25 points in transition.
The Cardinals shot the ball well all day, connecting on 54 percent for the game and making 13 of 24 from beyond the arc. Nakeya Penny finished with 13 points for BSU, while Maliah Howard-Bass and Gabby Smith added 10 each. All 10 Cardinals to see action scored at least four points.
Urbana knocked down 10 3-pointers of its own, and Sylvia Hudson led the Blue Knights with 14 points.
Ball State will open MAC play Saturday, Jan. 5 with a 2 p.m. tipoff at Toledo on ESPN3.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's basketball team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateWBB.
