Ball State University
Central Michigan
Battle Of the Unbeaten MAC Teams Set For Wednesday At CMU
January 14, 2020 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals look to extend their win streak to eight overall and remain undefeated in MAC play against the Chippewas
Ball State (11-4, 3-0 MAC) vs. Central Michigan (10-4, 3-0 MAC)
Mount Pleasant, Mich. (McGuirk Arena)
Watch: ESPN+ | Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes: Ball State | Central Michigan
Opening Tip:
- Wednesday's game against Central Michigan will mark the 80th time the teams have met, with the Chippewas leading the all-time series record, 42-37.
- Longtime head coach Sue Guevara retired from the helm of the Chippewas last spring. Central Michigan then promoted assistant coach Heather Oesterle as the Chippewas next head coach.
- Both Ball State and Central Michigan remain the only two undefeated teams in Mid-American Conference play with 3-0 records. BSU has won its last seven contests while CMU rides a three-game winning streak into tonight's game.
- The Chippewas have won the last three meetings over the Cardinals. Ball State last defeated Central Michigan in 2016-17 in Worthen Arena by a score of 81-73. BSU has not won a home and away series over CMU since 2014-15.
The Cardinals have taking down Kent State, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan while the Chippewas have collected wins over league opponents, Akron, Ohio and Miami.
- Oshlynn Brown led the Cardinals last week averaging a double-double performance. She scored 20.0 points per contest while pulling down 11.0 rebounds per game. Brown also registered a career best 29 points last Wednesday in an overtime win at Bowling Green.
-Ball State's largest win streak against Central Michigan was 11 from 2000 thru 2006.
3-0 In The MAC:
- The last time the Cardinals opened Mid-American Conference action with a 3-0 ledger was in 2016-17 when BSU opened league action with wins over Toledo, Kent State and Western Michigan.Â
- Ball State went 4-0 at the start of MAC play in 2014-15 posting wins over Bowling Green, Miami, Western Michigan and Kent State.
- Ball State's seven-game win streak is the longest since the Cardinals won 11-straight in 2017-18.
- The Cardinals overtime win Saturday agaisnt Eastern Michigan was the seventh victory Ball State has won by less than a six point margin. BSU has proved to be a strong second half team throughout the season thus far.
Scouting CMU:
- CMU returned home last Saturday for the first time in a month when it defeated Miami 76-70 in McGuirk Arena. Micaela Kelly led the Chippewas in scoring with 29 points where Gabrielle Bird chipped in 16 points. The game came down to the fourth quarter. The score was tied 56-56 but CMU put together a 20-5 run to seal its victory over the RedHawks. The Chippewas have only played teams from the MAC East so far this season.
- CMU ranks second in the MAC scoring offense (75.21), second in free throw percentage (.755), first in field goal percentage (.467), second in 3-point field goal percentage (.369), second in rebounding defense (36.21) and third in assists (14.64).
- The Chippewas have three players averaging double figures in scoring. Micaela Kelly leads the way with 24.4 points per contest. Kyra Bussell comes in second scoring 13.1 points per contest and Molly Davis rounds the trio out averaging 11.6 ppg. Bussell also leads the squad defensively averaging 6.6 rebounds per contest.
