Ball State University
4-4,0-0MAC
Western Kentucky
-72,00 CUSA
Western Kentucky Holds Off Ball State in Overtime Thriller, 91-86
December 07, 2019 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Dee Givens piled up a Worthen Arena record 41 points to lead visiting Western Kentucky to a 91-86 overtime win over the Ball State women's basketball team Saturday afternoon.
Givens, who entered the game averaging 15.3 points per game, went 14-of-28 (50 percent) from the field and 6-of-14 (42.8 percent) from behind the arc. Her point and field goal totals were both career highs. Ball State's Jamie Lehotsky held the previous Worthen Arena record of 35 points which was set back in 1994 against Chicago State.
WKU has now won seven of its last eight games to move to 7-2 overall. Ball State falls to 4-4.
Givens had the chance to end the game in regulation but missed a floater in the lane at the buzzer. In the extra period, she nailed a pair of crucial 3-pointers. The second trifecta gave the Hilltoppers an 87-80 lead with 1:37 left. The Cardinals would only get as close as four points the rest of the way.
.?@BSUCoachBrady? talks about how well both teams played today and how the team will learn from this and roll on!#ChirpChirp | #WeFly | #Onward pic.twitter.com/A42zKV0Y5b
— Ball State WBB (@BallStateWBB) December 7, 2019
Ball State battled back from five points down with 2:41 left in regulation to force overtime. Junior Oshlynn Brown came through with the tying shot with 18.9 seconds on the clock to even the score at 75-all.
The Cardinals were on fire in the opening half, shooting 57.6 percent from the floor, and took a 43-38 lead into intermission.
There were seven ties and five lead changes in the second half. WKU used a 10-1 run midway through the fourth quarter to go out in front, 74-69.
The loss spoiled Ball State's best shooting night of the season. The Cardinals connected on 51.5 percent of their shots from the floor. Brown notched season highs in both points (22) and rebounds (14) for her fourth double-double of the year. Sophomore Blake Smith equaled her season high with 10 points, all of which came in the first half. Freshman Sydney Freeman chipped in with eight points and a team season-high seven assists.
This was the seventh straight year these two teams have met on the hardwood. WKU snapped a two-game losing streak to the Cardinals but still trails in the all-time series, 5-4.
Ball State has the next week off to concentrate on fall semester final exams. The Cardinals are back in action on Dec. 18-20 at the Lobo Christmas Classic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, against Loyola Marymount, Providence and New Mexico.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's basketball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWBB and @BSUCoachBrady.
