Ball State University
Western Kentucky
WBB Returns To Worthen Arena Saturday; Hosts Western Kentucky
December 06, 2019 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals have won two straight against the Lady Toppers
Ball State (4-3, 0-0 MAC) vs. Western Kentucky (6-2, 0-0 Conference USA)
Muncie, Ind. (Worthen Arena)
Watch: ESPN+ | Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes: Ball State | Western Kentucky
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Opening Tip:
Saturday's game marks the seventh-straight season the Cardinals have played Western Kentucky. Ball State has won the last two meeting against the Lady Toppers. The Cardinals defeated Western Kentucky on the road last season at E.A. Diddle Arena on Dec. 16 by a score of 86-83. In 2017-18, the Cardinals earned a 93-81 decision over the Lady Toppers on Dec. 21 in Worthen Arena.Â
Today's meeting with the Lady Toppers is the ninth all-time. The Cardinals lead the all-time series record, 5-3.
The Cardinals are the only non-conference team Western Kentucky has faced every year since 2013-14.
Ball State returns to Muncie after playing at the first-ever Bahamas Hoopfest. The Cardinals were the opening game on Thursday, Nov. 28, defeating Lehigh, 54-52, after redshirt freshman guard Anna Clephane had the game-winning shot at the buzzerr. Ball State then took on Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 29 and despite having the 15-13 edge over the Badgers after the first quarter the Cardinals lost the contest, 67-56.Â
Western Kentucky comes to Ball State with a 6-2 overall record. The Lady Toppers recently defeated Oklahoma 74-63 in Bowling Green, Ky.
Scouting Western Kentucky:
• The Lady Toppers are coached by Greg Collins who is in his second season at the helm of Western Kentucky. Prior to becoming the head coach, Collins served as an associate head coach and an assistant coach for WKU. Collins replaced Michelle Clark-Heard, who the Cardinals have already faced this season. Clark-Heard is currently the head coach at Cincinnati.
• The Lady Toppers opened their season with a five-game win streak after losing their season opener to No. 9 Louisville (75-56 | Nov. 5). WKU has posted victories over Mercer ( 75-62 | Nov. 8), Belmont (77-46 | Nov. 13), Central Michigan (93-58 | Nov. 17), Little Rock (77-58 | Nov. 29), Tulsa (76-63 | Nov. 29) and Oklahoma (74-63 | Dec. 4). WKU's second loss came against Saint Mary's losing in overtime, 80-73.
• The Lady Toppers are led by Raneem Elgedawy, who is averaging a double-double with 17.1 points per game and 10.8 rebounds. Following Elgedawy is Whitney Creech (16.1 ppg) and Dee Givens (15.3 ppg).
• The Lady Toppers were picked to finish third, in the Conference-USA preseason poll. WKU's Dee Givens and Raneem Eldgedawy were also tabbed preseason All-Conference USA. WKU finished last season 20-15 under Greg Collins in his first season and advanced to the post season Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) round of 16.
Series:
2008-09:Â Ball State 72, Western Kentucky 71 OT (at WKU | 12/20)
2009-10:Â Western Kentucky 61, Bal State 58 (in Muncie | 11/16)
2013-14:Â Ball State 85, Western Kentucky 77 (in Muncie | 12/7)
2014-15:Â Western Kentucky 76, Ball State 66 (at WKU | 12/21)
2015-16:Â Ball State 74, Western Kentucky 60 (in Muncie | 11/19))
2016-17:Â Western Kentucky 68, Ball State 61 (at WKU | 12/21)
2017-18:Â Ball State 93, Western Kentucky 81 (in Muncie | 12/21)
2018-19:Â Ball State 86, Western Kentucky 83 (at WKU | 12/16)
