Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
14-10,7-7MAC
University of Toledo
21-4,15-1MAC
Women’s Basketball Falls Short in Highly-Contested Game at MAC-Leader Toledo
February 19, 2022 | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio - In yet another highly-contested Mid-American Conference game, Ball State (14-10, 7-7 MAC) dropped a heartbreaker to Toledo (21-4, 10-1 MAC) Saturday afternoon by a score of 69-66 in Savage Arena.
The Cardinals placed three players in double figures. Freshman Ally Becki and senior Sydney Freeman each led Ball State with 11 points apiece, while freshman Marie Kiefer tallied 10 points - all in the first half of play.
Foul trouble plagued the Cardinals today, along with rebounding, as the Rockets out-rebounded BSU, 44-26. The Cardinals, however, had a season-low seven turnovers.
It was an entertaining first half between the Cardinals and the Rockets. Both teams swapped baskets throughout despite Toledo having the lead most of the game.
Ball State never trailed by too much and managed to come back on several occasions.
It wasn't until late in the second quarter that the Cardinals struggled offensively. After the media timeout, Toledo held Ball State scoreless for 5:15, allowing the Rockets to take a slim six-point (35-29) lead over the Cardinals at intermission.
Prior to Ball State's scoring drought, the Cardinals were shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Both teams turned up their defenses in the third quarter of action. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Becki and Kiefer picked up their third fouls and had to miss the majority of the third frame.
Toledo had increased its lead to eight but a 3-pointer from Freeman managed to cut it back to five (42-37) with 3:59 on the clock.
Back-to-back baskets from graduate senior Chyna Latimer and Freeman, along with a 3-pointer from Estel Puiggros, brought BSU back to within two (50-48) to end the third stanza.
Toledo opened the final 10 minutes of action with a 9-6 run, but again, the Cardinals continued to hang on, highlighted by some key plays on defense.
It was still a tight contest (61-59) at the 2:56 mark when Becki completed the old-fashioned 3-point play after a layup and a free throw.
Junior Annie Rauch's layup came in huge to make it 63-62 with 22 seconds remaining, but on Toledo's ensuing possession, the Rockets would score to go back up by three.
Despite Ball State's efforts, the Cardinals dropped the close contest in conference play.
The Ball State women's basketball team won't have much time off as the Cardinals host Western Michigan on Monday in Worthen Arena. Tipoff for that contest is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Fans can purchase tickets to the game by calling the Stoops Buick/GMC Ticket Center at 888.BSU.TICKET or 765.285.1474 to join the Cardinal Family inside Worthen Arena! Season and group tickets are also on sale now, while single game tickets are also available online at Ticketmaster.com.
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