Ball State University
Miami University (OH)
WBB Looks To Extend Win Streak To Three; Hosts Miami In MAC Action Wednesday
January 26, 2021 | Women's Basketball
Ball State (6-5, 4-3 MAC) vs. Miami (1-12, 0-9 MAC)
Muncie, Ind. | Worthen Arena
Watch: ESPN+Â | Listen:Â Muncie Sports Station (102.9 FM/1340 AM)Â | Live Stats
Game Notes: Â Ball State | Miami
Opening Tip:
• The Cardinals are looking to extend their win streak to three when they host Miami Wednesday night in Worthen Arena. Ball State had missed its last two Mid-American Conference games due to the guidelines and safety protocols of the COVID-19 global pandemic before returning to the court on Jan. 23 at Eastern Michigan beating the Eagles 68-64 in the Convocation Center.
• Miami is looking to snap a 11-game losing streak. The RedHawks have only earned one win this season and that was on Dec. 8, 2020 when Miami defeated Valparaiso 67-49.
• Wednesday's game against Miami will mark the 68th time in program history the two schools have met with the RedHawks leading the all-time series 40-27. Ball State won its only meeting against Miami last season on Jan. 25 in Worthen Arena by a 80-63 decision.
• Since the 1989-90 season, the Cardinals have won 18 of the last 28 meetings against the RedHawks. Out of all the Ball State women's basketball coaches, Brady Sallee owns the best record over Miami at 8-1.Â
• The RedHawks are the closest MAC school in proximity to Ball State. The distance from Millett Hall to Worthen Arena is exactly 76 miles door-to-door.
• The last time Miami won in Muncie was the 2002-03 season. That year the RedHawks defeated Ball State on Feb. 3, 97-94 in overtime.
Kulas Gets The Win:
Third-year assistant coach Bri Kulas stepped up in a big way on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Eastern Michigan. After having a pair of games postponed over the previous seven days, the Cardinals were limited to one coach against the Eagles. Kulas stepped up as acting head coach due to the guidelines and safety protocols of the COVID-19 global pandemic which sidelined ninth-year head coach Brady Sallee, along with assistants Audrey McDonald-Spencer and Roman Tubner. Showing courage in the face of difficulties is the Merriam-Webster dictionary's meaning of adversity, which is a great description of what the Ball State women's basketball team faced in the week leading up to its 68-64 victory at Eastern Michigan.
Consistent Clephane:
Redshirt sophomore Anna Clephane led the Cardinals charge with a career best 24-points at Ohio. Clephane made some key baskets at some crucial times to give Ball State the 88-85 overtime road win at Ohio on Jan. 13. Clephane continues playing a vital role to the Cardinals success after scoring 16 points in a 68-64 victory at Eastern Michigan on Jan. 23. Clephane knocked down a last second 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter that sent the Cardinals into a 20-12 scoring spree in the second period to take the 56-41 lead at intermission. Currently, Clephane ranks fifth on the team in overall scoring (10.2 ppg) and third in MAC games only (12.0 ppg.)
1,000 Points, 1,000 Rebounds:
Senior Oshlynn Brown currently has 1,195 career points and 917Â rebounds. Brown needs 83 rebounds to hit 1,000. Brown will become only the second player in Ball State women's basketball history to reach 1,000 points and rebounds. Former Cardinal Emma Jones (1984-87) so far is the lone player in program history to get 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Free Up Freeman:
Sophomore guard Sydney Freeman managed to get herself free Saturday at Eastern Michigan. Her sly move gave her an open shot to take a 3-point basket that went in with only seven seconds remaining in the game. That 3-pointer sealed the 68-64 win for the Cardinals.
The Next Game:
The Ball State women's basketball team returns to the road Saturday for a 2 p.m. ET tip-off at Western Michigan University. After that, Ball State will stay on the road when it travels to Central Michigan on Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. ET.
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