WBB Takes Down ACC Foe Pitt in First Game of Sun Coast Challenge

Tuesday, December 19

Tampa, Fla.

12 pm

Ball State University

8-2,0-0MAC

University of Pittsburgh (Sun Coast Challenge)

5-6,0-0ACC

Ball St.

Pittsburgh

WBB Takes Down ACC Foe Pitt in First Game of Sun Coast Challenge

December 19, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - The Ball State women's basketball team (8-2) opened play at the Sun Coast Challenge with a 73-62 victory over ACC foe Pitt (5-6) Tuesday afternoon in the PHSC West Campus.

Today's win marks the second-straight time and season the Ball State women's basketball team has defeated Pitt.

Ball State head coach Brady Sallee has now defeated six Power 5 conference teams during his tenure with the Cardinals — Minnesota (54-51, 2012-13), Iowa (77-72, 2015-16), Vanderbilt (88-79, 2017-18), Purdue (66-60, 2017-18), Pitt (68-66, 2022-23) and Pitt (73-62, 2023-24).

Ball State was in the driver's seat most of the contest, as the Cardinals had the lead over the Panthers for 30:50 of the game's 40 minutes.

After Pitt opened the contest with a 7-0 run Ball State quickly answered back with 14 unanswered points to take a 14-7 edge over the Panthers at the 6:40 mark. Madelyn Bischoff went 3-of-4 from behind the arc while also getting some baskets from Ally Becki and Alex Richard during the Cardinals surge. Ball State led by eight (19-11) at the 3:02 mark. As time was winding down, the Panthers closed the first period of play with an 8-2 scoring spree that would give the Cardinals just a two-point (21-19) advantage to end the quarter.

It was an up-and-down affair in the second quarter of play up until the 2:10 mark when Bischoff drained her fourth 3-pointer of the game, shortly after Annie Rauch made one from inside the paint off the assist from Estel Puiggros. Puigross then nailed a half-court shot to end the first half at the buzzer to give Ball State the 40-33 lead over Pitt at intermission.

After the break, the Cardinals continued to stay atop of the Panthers. On a few occasions Pitt would creep its way back into the game but some key plays from Becki on both offense and defense allowed Ball State to go up by eight (53-45) as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of action.

Ana Barreto opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer and a hook shot to give Ball State an 11-point cushion (58-47) over Pitt. The Panthers, despite their efforts, were unable to keep up with the Cardinals fast paced energy. The pace eventually allowed Ball State to take its largest lead of the game (69-52), which was capped off by two free throws from Richard.

All-in-all it was an overall team effort from Ball State that ultimately led to the Cardinals victory over the Panthers. Bischoff led Ball State with 18 points, while Becki wasn't too far behind as she scored 17 on the day. Richard rounded out the double digit scoring with 15 points. Defensively, Marie Kiefer pulled down 10 rebounds.

For the game, the Cardinals had their best showing from the charity stripe shooting 90 percent (18-20) from the line. Ball State, who rank 26th in the nation in steals, had 10 today behind Nyla Hampton who led the squad with three. Ball State also out-rebounded Pitt (41-30).

The Ball State women's basketball team continues its two-game event at the Sun Coast Challenge when it faces the Georgia Bulldogs Thursday at noon.