Ball State University
14-7,6-3MAC
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Western Michigan
11-8,4-4MAC
Clutch 3-Pointers from Puiggros Helps Ball State Hold Off WMU, 68-65
February 01, 2020 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Estel Puiggros only made two shots from the floor Saturday afternoon but both came at key times to help the Ball State women's basketball team take down Western Michigan, 68-65.
With the win, Ball State (14-7, 6-3 MAC) moves to 8-1 at home this season, including 5-0 versus league competition. Western Michigan (11-8, 4-4) saw its three-game winning streak against BSU snapped and falls to .500 in MAC games.
"We're in good position halfway through the conference season," Ball State head coach Brady Sallee said. "Now we go into our bye week. We come back and it's a nine-game regular season. We have to think that way. We have to find ways to get better, and I know this group will."
.?@BSUCoachBrady? was really proud of today's win against the Broncos! He also commented that we are in good position halfway through the MAC season! pic.twitter.com/ujZU81NtjV
— Ball State WBB (@BallStateWBB) February 1, 2020
Right before intermission, Puiggros put the home crowd on its feet by draining a shot from just over the half court stripe to give the Cardinals a 36-31 lead at the break. Then, with 1:14 left in the contest and Ball State holding a slim two-point lead, Puiggros banked in a 3-pointer from the left wing to snap a four-minute Ball State scoring drought and put the Cardinals in front, 66-61.
Puiggros sealed the win the hitting two free throws in the final 20 seconds. The freshman finished with eight points, two shy of her season best.
The first half featured 11 lead changes until Ball State rolled off the final six points of the second quarter. The Cardinals never trailed in the second half and built a lead as large as 13 in the third quarter, 54-41, following one of Thelma Dis Agustsdottir's two 3-pointers.
Another Agustsdottir bucket with 5:29 remaining in the contest gave the Cards a comfortable 63-54 cushion. However, Ball State would go cold over the next four minutes allowing Western Michigan to sneak back into the game. The Broncos had a chance to take the lead with 2:54 left, but Reilly Jacobson's 3-point attempt went long.
The two teams exchanged scoreless possessions before Puiggros hit the clutch trifecta. She was able to get that chance due to Blake Smith's lone offensive rebound of the game.
Senior Jasmin Samz equaled her season high with 19 points, 16 of which came in the first 20 minutes. Junior Oshlynn Brown came up one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine boards. Agustsdottir chipped in with 14 points as well.
For Western Michigan, Chelayne Bailey netted a season-high 18 points. Breanna Mobley added nine points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
The Cardinals are back in action next Saturday, Feb. 8, with a home game against Akron. Game time in Worthen Arena is set for 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's basketball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWBB and @BSUCoachBrady.
