Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
14-9,7-6MAC
University at Buffalo
17-8,11-4MAC
Women’s Basketball’s Comeback Falls Short, Cardinals Lose to Buffalo 67-62
February 16, 2022 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (14-9, 7-6 MAC) fourth-quarter comeback fell short Wednesday night against Buffalo (17-8, 11-4 MAC) as the Cardinals fell to the Bulls, 67-62, in Worthen Arena.
"I was proud of my team for their second half response, and it gave ourselves a chance down the stretch to win the ball game," Ball State head coach Brady Sallee said. "I give Buffalo credit. They defended the 3-point line very well tonight. Again, tonight's game was another battle, and that is how contests are played in our league."
The Cardinals struggled offensively in the first quarter of play and, although they trailed the Bulls from start to finish, Buffalo looked sluggish from the floor, as well. Ball State had some strong looks, but couldn't get the ball to drop. The Cardinals also found themselves in foul trouble early in the contest. By the 4:12 mark, the Cardinals trailed the Bulls by seven (12-5).
After that, Ball State put together an impressive 7-2 run, which was capped off by a driving layup from sophomore Ivet Subirats to bring BSU within two (14-12) of UB. The Bulls would close out the opening 10 minutes of action with a bucket to go up 16-12.
The second quarter was the same scenario for the Cardinals as they struggled from the field and allowed Buffalo to take a 37-29 advantage at intermission.
Buffalo's strong defensive play truly held Ball State to only 33 total points at the 5:00 minute mark in the third period. Ball State did manage to make a slight comeback in the third frame after junior Estel Puiggros made a layup with 51 seconds left to make it only a six-point ball game (49-43). As both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of play, UB still led by six (51-45).
Back-to-back layups from junior Annie Rauch and graduate senior Chyna Latimer began the fourth-quarter rally and made it a five-point ball game under the two-minute mark in the final stanza. With 53 seconds left, junior Sydney Freeman knocked one down from way behind the arc to make it a two-point (62-20) deficit.
Buffalo scored on the ensuing possession to go back up by five (65-60). Ball State missed the mark on a 3-pointer but then stole the inbound pass from Buffalo allowing Rauch to score a layup. It now became a game of fouling and timeouts to extend the game with nine seconds remaining on the clock.
Buffalo was then sent to the line making both free throws, sealing the victory for the Bulls.
For the game, Latimer led Ball State in scoring with 12 points while Freeman had 10. Ball State again out-rebounded Buffalo, 44-41. Turnovers were a problem for BSU with 18 miscues. The Cardinals also struggled from the 3-point line making only four of 26 attempts.
The Ball State women's basketball team will travel to Mid-American Conference leader Toledo on Saturday for a 2 p.m. ET tipoff in Savage Arena.
