Ball State University
Utah State University
Women's Basketball Heads West For Thanksgiving Break; Plays at Utah State & BYU
November 22, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Game 5Â | Ball State (2-2) at Utah State (1-3)
Nov. 23 | Logan, Utah | Dee Glen Smith Spectrum | 4 pm ET
Game 6 | Ball State (2-2) at BYU (1-4)
Nov. 26 | Provo, Utah | Marriott Center | 4 pm ET
Opening Tip:
- The Cardinals are looking to get back on the winning track when Ball State heads west for the Thanksgiving break. Ball State will first play at Utah State Wednesday, Nov. 23 and will then end its two-game trip in Utah with a visit to BYU Saturday, Nov. 26. Both game are slated for a 4 pm ET start.
- Ball State has faced Utah State only once, winning that game 81-55 last year in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals and the BYU Cougars have never met.Â
- The Cardinals are coming off a hard-fought battle at No. 9 Notre Dame Sunday after suffering a 60-95 loss to the Fighting Irish. For the game, sophomore Madelyn Bischoff led the Cardinals with a career best 15 points while graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir added 11 including 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. Rounding out the double figure scoring was sophomore Marie Kiefer with 10 points. She also led Ball State defensively with eight rebounds, two block solos and one block assist. Â
- The Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt Conference have introduced the MAC-SBC Challenge, a scheduling alliance in the sports of men's and women's basketball, to take place during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The 12 MAC men's and women's basketball teams will face off against 12 Sun Belt teams in a pair of contests each year, with each game being carried on an ESPN platform.
- Ball State current assistant coach Jauwan Scaife was on Utah State's coaching staff for the 2021-22 season helping the Aggies nearly triple their win total from the previous season.
- Last season against Utah State the Cardinals broke the program's 3-point record in Worthen Arena with 16 which was led by current graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir who had four from behind the arc.
Second Half Cardinals:
 Although the Cardinals lost in their season opener the stats proved that they could be a second half team this season. Ball State outscored Tennessee Tech 39-29 in the second half of Monday's games. The Cardinals best quarter was the fourth period when Ball State outpaced Tennessee Tech, 16-9. The Cardinals also won the rebounding category over the Golden Eagles, 48-28. Same scenario and different game against Butler Nov. 17 in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals were trailing at the half but outscored the Bulldogs 52-35 in the second half to earn the 84-68 victory over their rival.Â
Fun Utah Facts:
Utah is the third highest state in the union with a mean elevation of 6,100 feet above sea level. Its lowest point is Beaverdam Wash at 2,000 feet above sea level. The highest point in Utah is Kings Peak, at 13,528 feet above sea level.
Scouting Utah State:
- Utah State head coach Kayla Ard is in her third season at the helm of the Aggies. The ninth head coach in program history, Ard led the Aggies to an 11-19 overall record, including a 5-13 mark in Mountain West play, in the 2021-22 season, nearly tripling the previous season's win total. Utah State finished the season ranked third in offensive rebounds per game (12.43) and fourth in assists per game (14.20). Ard coached guard/forward Adryana Quezada to earn All-Mountain West honorable mention recognition.
-After winning their season opener by a score of 75-58 against the College of Idaho Nov. 7 the Aggies have struggled losing their last three contests against Southeastern Louisian (68-78), Utah Tech (57-95) and Arkansas State (57-63).Â
- The Aggies have two played averaging double figures with Maria Carvalho leading the way with 14 points per game and 8.3 rebounds. Behind Carvalho is Mayson Kimball as she averages 13.0 ppg and 4.3 rbg.
Scouting BYU:
- Amber Whiting is in her first season as the head women's basketball coach for BYU. Prior to BYU, Whiting was the head coach at Burley High School where she guided her to the 2022 Idaho State Championship for only the third time in school history.
- After picking up its first win of the year against previously undefeated Washington State with a 65-56 victory with three players in double figures, the Cougars fought to the end but came up short to Troy 68-62 at the North Shore Showcase. Lauren Gustin just missed out on a triple-double with 21Â points, 12 rebounds and a career-best eight assists.
- BYU is led by forward Lauren Gustin who is currently averaging 15.0 points per game and 14.6 rebounds. Behind Gustin is guard/forward Rose Bubakar with 11.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
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