Ball State University
9-3,0-0MAC
University of Richmond
9-3,0-0Atlantic 10
Cards Drop Heartbreaker to Richmond in Puerto Rico Classic Finale
December 20, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Both Ball State (9-3) and Richmond (9-3) played gritty defense the entire 40 minutes of the contest and played similarly throughout as the game was knotted nine times and the lead changed hands 15 times.
The Cardinals struggled in the first half to find their offensive rhythm and found themselves trailing the Spiders, 46-34, at intermission.
After the break, Ball State got off to a hot start thanks to graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir after she knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers which sparked a 10-0 scoring spree by the Cardinals. The run was capped off by a trey from sophomore Madelyn Bischoff which gave BSU the 47-46 lead over Richmond at the 6:49 mark.
Ball State went on to outpace Richmond 22-5 in the third frame while defensively holding the Spiders to only two made field goals to take a 56-51 advantage over Richmond into the final 10 minutes of play.
Both teams were neck-and-neck in the fourth period and things were looking good for the Cardinals after senior Sydney Shafer opened the final stanza with one from behind the arc to put Ball State up by eight (59-51). Richmond answered quickly with a 10-0 run to take back a 61-59 edge over Ball State with 6:33 left on the clock.
The remainder of the contest was a nail biter with the game tied 72-72 with just a minute remaining. A made free throw from sophomore Ally Becki put the Cardinals back up by one (73-72). On the ensuing possession, Richmond's Addie Budnik nailed a 3-pointer which turned out to be the game-winning shot for the Spiders.
For the game, Becki and Agustsdottir again led the Cardinals in scoring with 17 points apiece while Clephane finished the day with 12 points. Becki also recorded her third double-double of the season after pulling down 10 rebounds.
The Ball State women's basketball team will take a quick holiday break before it returns to the court Friday, Dec. 30 for the Cardinals' non-conference finale against Chicago State in Worthen Arena. The game is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will also be this season's "Take a Kid to a Game" days at Worthen Arena with Ball State Basketball presented by The Cardinal Fanstore in The Village.
With one paid adult ticket purchased, two kids 13 and under will receive a complimentary ticket along with a commemorative gift pack from The Cardinal Fanstore in The Village. That offer is available for the following home men's and women's basketball games:
Men's Basketball vs. Chicago State
Wednesday, December 28 / 7 p.m.
Women's Basketball vs. Chicago State
Friday, December 30 / 6:30 p.m.
Women's Basketball vs. Bowling Green
Wednesday, January 4 / 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, don't miss the newly-released Mini-Plan for men's basketball, women's basketball and men's volleyball. If you purchase by Tuesday, December 20, seats are guaranteed within the first 10 rows of the arena for each game. Select three games or more and the plan starts at only $7 per game plus minimal processing fee.
Fans may purchase either deal by calling 888-BSU-TICKET / 765-285-1474 or visiting the Ticket Center inside Gate 1 of Worthen Arena in advance or on game day.
