Ball State University Athletics
Becki & Hampton Voted Preseason All-MAC; Cardinals Picked Second in Preseason Poll
November 02, 2023 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals also earned votes to win the MAC Tournament Championship
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Ball State women's basketball team continues to make a name for itself in the Mid-American Conference as the Cardinals were picked to finish second in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll for the second-straight season. In addition, junior guard Ally Becki was tabbed to the Preseason All-MAC First Team while junior Nyla Hampton was named to the All-MAC Second Team.
Becki earns preseason honors for the second-straight year. The 2023 All-MAC Second Team postseason selection has started every game for the Cardinals since the start of her freshman year. In 2022-23, Becki led the squad with five double-doubles and scored in double digits 20 times, including a season-best 23 points at Buffalo (Jan. 18). She also pulled down a career-best 14 rebounds in a win over IUPUI (Dec. 8). In just two seasons, Becki has tallied 714 points. A strong ball handler, Becki ranked sixth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (2.74) and 18th in total assists (181) last season.
Hampton, who transferred from Bowling Green this past summer, is a three-time MAC Defensive Team recipient. She enters her first season at Ball State with 865 career points, needing 135 to reach the 1,000-point plateau. She has also pulled down 131 career rebounds, dished 278 assists and collected 243 steals.
Brady Sallee is beginning his 12th season as Ball State's head coach. His program returns 10 players from a record-setting squad which finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 26-9 record, including a14-4 conference ledger while also reaching the semifinals of the MAC Tournament. The Cardinals also advanced to the second round of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) for the first time since 2018.
The Ball State women's basketball team officially opens its season at home Monday, Nov. 6, against Tennessee Tech for the Cardinals' annual "Field Trip Day" in Worthen Arena. The game is slated for an 11 a.m. ET start.
2023-24 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
- Toledo (11)- 121
- Ball State (1)- 110
- Kent State- 102
- Bowling Green- 77
- Northern Illinois- 72
- Akron- 69
- Eastern Michigan- 66
- Buffalo- 50
- Ohio- 40
- Western Michigan- 38
- Central Michigan- 24
- Miami- 23
Tournament Champion: Toledo- 10, Ball State- 2
2023-24 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams
First Team
Ally Becki, Forward, Ball State, Junior
Chelby Koker, Guard, Northern Illinois, Fifth Year
Katie Shumate, Guard, Kent State, Redshirt Senior
Quinesha Lockett, Guard, Toledo, Fifth Year
Reagan Bass, Forward, Akron, Junior
Second Team
Lachelle Austin, Guard, Eastern Michigan, Junior
Lexi Fleming, Guard, Bowling Green, Senior
Nyla Hampton, Guard, Ball State, Junior
Sammi Mikonowicz, Guard/Forward, Toledo, Senior
Sophia Wiard, Guard, Toledo, Fifth Year
