Ball State University
Urbana (Ohio)
WBB Closes Non-Conference Action At Home Monday; Hosts Urbana
December 29, 2019 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals enter tonight's contest with a three-game win streak
Ball State (7-4, 0-0 MAC) vs. Urbana (7-5, MEC)
Muncie, Ind. (Worthen Arena)
Watch: ESPN3 | Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes:Â Ball State | Urbana
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Opening Tip:
- Ball State enters today's contest on a three-game win streak after taking down three opponents at the 2019 Lobo Classic in Albuquerque, N.M. (Dec. 18-20). The Cardinals were the only undefeated team in New Mexico after defeating Loyola Marymount (Dec. 18 | 77-72), Providence (Dec. 19 | 52-51) and then New Mexico (Dec. 20 | 70-57).Â
- Tonight's contest marks the second-straight season the Cardinals have hosted the Blue Knights on Dec. 30 in Worthen Arena. Ball State has wrapped up its non-conference portion on its schedule against Urbana three times in four years. The Cardinals defeated the Blue Knights last season, 99-62.
- Tonight's contest marks the third official meeting between Ball State and Urbana with the Cardinals leading the all-time series record, 2-0. All the previous competitions against Urbana had been exhibition only.
Lobo Classic Recap:
The Caridnals had a lot to celebrate this holiday season, after wrapping up play at the Lobo Invitational as the only undefeated team after taking down host New Mexico (9-6) by a score of 70-57 on Dec. 20 in Dreamstyle Arena (The Pit). Throughout the entire invitational, the Cardinals were resilient after posting back-to-back comeback wins over their first two opponents, Loyola Marymount (77-72) and Providence (52-51). Redshirt senior guard Jasmin Samz led the Cardinals in scoring throughout play at the Lobo Classice averaging 12.3 points per game along with hitting the game-winner with seconds remaining against Providence. Senior guard Arbrie Benson also had a break through performance after scoring a season best 10 points vs. the Lobos and junior forward Oshlynn Brown collected two double-doubles against Loyola Marymount and Providence.
MAC Play Begins:
- After tonight's contest against Urbana the Cardinals will open Mid-American Conference play at home against Kent State on Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. in Worthen Arena.Â
- Under the direction of eighth-year head coach Brady Sallee, the Cardinals have had a wealth of success during MAC action. Sallee enters this conference season with 77-47 (.621) career MAC record. The Cardinals have punched their ticket straight to Cleveland in the MAC Tournament five out of seven times under Sallee and have reached the championship game twice. Ball State earned a MAC West Division title in 2014-15 and has reached post season play six times including making it to the round of 16 at the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) in Sallee's inaugural year.
- The Cardinals have placed players on the postseason award list for the last eight seasons including the MAC Player of The Year Nathalie Fontaine in 2016. Prior to this season, junior forward Oshlynn Brown was named to the preseason All-MAC squad. Brown currently leads the Cardinals in scoring (13.1) and rebounding (9.6). She has registered five double-doubles this season and now has 23 for her career. She has been named the MAC West Division Player of the Week twice so far in non-conference play.
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