Ball State University
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Western Michigan University
Miller’s Three-Point Shooting Lifts WMU to 65-62 Win Over Ball State
January 26, 2019 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Western Michigan caught fire from behind the three-point line in the fourth quarter and rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Ball State women's basketball team Saturday afternoon, 65-62.
Oshlynn Brown led the Cardinals with her fourth straight double-double – 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Nakeya Penny added 11 points and a personal-high nine rebounds.
Western Michigan's Meredith Miller, who keyed the comeback, piled up career highs in points (21) and three-pointers made (7). Deja Wimby chipped in with a season-best 21 points and also drew a pivotal charge call in the final minute of regulation.
"You just have to credit Western Michigan," Ball State head coach Brady Sallee said. "They made a couple of timely plays and tough shots. We struggled to keep it together there when they were making their run and that's something we have to learn from."
Ball State (7-12, 2-5 MAC) used an 11-1 run late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter to stretch its lead to 58-44 with 7:37 remaining. However, the Cardinals only made one more field goal the rest of the game and that came with one second left in the contest.
Meanwhile, Western Michigan (8-9, 2-4) turned to the three-point shot to make its comeback. The Broncos made six of their final eight attempts from behind the arc to earn the victory and snap a four-game losing streak. Miller made four of those shots while Leighah-Amori Wool and Nina Farkic each made one trifecta.
Miller's sixth three-pointer put the Broncos in front with 2:16 left, 61-60. The two teams went three possessions without a point before Miller hit her final three-pointer to make the score 64-60 with 33 seconds showing on the clock. Wimby then took a charge from Oshlynn Brown on Ball State's ensuing possession to essentially seal the win.
The Cardinals went 3-for-13 (23.1 percent) from the floor and only scored eight points in the fourth quarter.
Ball State will look to get back to the win this Wednesday, Jan. 30 in Worthen Arena against MAC leader Buffalo. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 beginning at 7 p.m.
