Ball State University
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Western Michigan University
WBB Rides Three-Game Winning Streak Into Saturday's Game At WMU
January 29, 2021 | Women's Basketball
Ball State (7-5, 5-3 MAC) vs. Western Michigan (2-9, 1-8 MAC)
Kalamazoo, Mich. | Read Fieldhouse
Watch:Â ESPN+Â | Listen:Â Muncie Sports Station (102.9 FM/1340 AM)Â | Live Stats
Game Notes: Ball State | Western Michigan
Opening Tip:
• The Cardinals are on a roll winning their fourth straight contest Wednesday night in Worthen Arena after defeating the Miami RedHawks, 85-82. Senior forward Oshlynn Brown scored a career high 33 points. She also pulled down 15 rebounds for her 39th double-double of her career. Brown also went to the free throw line 26 times which is a new program record. BSU's last three contests have been decided by four points or less.
• Western Michigan is looking to bounce back after falling to Ohio (63-69) on Jan. 23 and then Bowling Green (53-77) on Jan. 27. The Broncos, who had a successful season last year, ended the 2020 season with an 18-13 overall record while owning a 10-8 league ledger. The Broncos have struggled this season in the win column with just two victories.
• Saturday's game against Western Michigan will mark the 86th time in program history the two schools have met with Ball State leading the series record, 46-39.
• Ball State owns a 26-8 ledger over Western Michigan dating back to the 2004-05 season. Brady Sallee owns an 13-4 career mark against the Broncos.
 • Under head coach Brady Sallee the Cardinals have only lost twice at Western Michigan, Feb. 28, 2015 (50-51) and in 2019 on March 2 (54-72).
• The Cardinals wrapped up their MAC regular season last year at Western Michigan resulting in a 64-63 overtime victory for BSU on March 7, 2020.Â
Hot In January:
It may be cold outside but the Cardinals tend to get hot in the month of January under ninth-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee owns an overall record of 46-24 (.647) in the month of January dating back to his first season in 2012-13.Â
Brownie Points:
Behind senior forward Oshlynn Brown's career high 33 points, the Ball State women's basketball team was able to lead the entire contest and hold off a tenacious Miami team at the end for a 85-82 victory Wednesday night in Worthen Arena. Perseverance to get inside the paint (40-22) was ultimately the statistic that allowed the Cardinals to seal the win over the visiting RedHawks. Ball State also scored 15 second chance points and was sent to the line 45 times, with Brown shooting a program record 26 free throws. Brown also pulled down 15 rebounds for her 39th career double-double. Other key players in the game were Thelma Dis Agustsdottir who finished the night with 16 points. Sydney Freeman also reached double figures with 15 points and Anna Clephane rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12.
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. She also brought BSU back to life on many occasions against the RedHawks ending the night 12 on Jan. 27. Currently, Clephane ranks fifth on the team in overall scoring (10.3 ppg) and third in MAC games only (12.0 ppg.).
1,000 Points, 1,000 Rebounds:
Senior Oshlynn Brown currently has 1,228 career points and 932Â rebounds. Brown needs 68 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.
Rebound That Basketball:
Senior forward Oshlynn Brown is moving up the all-time rebounds list at Ball State. She currently ranks 6th with 932 rebounds. Brown needs two rebounds to take sole possession of the 5th spot which is currently held by former Cardinal Tamara Bowie (2000-03) with 933 rebounds. Brown needs 97 rebounds to become the BSU's all-time leader in that category which is currently owned by for Cardinal Emma Jones (1984-87) with 1,028 rebounds.Â
Scouting Western Michigan:
• Shane Clipfell first year as the head coach of the Broncos was also Brady Sallee's first year at Ball State. Clipfell was familiar with the MAC as he was an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan for nine seasons. Prior to Western Michigan, Clipfell was an assistant coach at Michigan State. Clipfell's best season with the Broncos was in 2014-15, leading WMU to an overall record of 20-13 and an 11-7 MAC ledger.
• The Broncos are led by Reilly Jacobson who is averaging 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds currently right now for WMU. Behind her is Sydney Shafer who tends to be a spork off of the bench for the Broncos with 11.5 ppg. Taylor Williams rounds out the double digit scoring, starting in all 11 games averaging 11.3 points for WMU.
• Five of WMU's last four games have been decided by 10 points or less. The Broncos are looking for their first win since Wednesday, Jan. 20 at home against Miami, resulting in a 70-54 win for the Broncos.
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