Wednesday, February 1
Muncie, Ind.
6:30 pm
Ball State University
18-4,8-1MAC
76
vs
68
Northern Illinois University
10-10,2-7MAC
1
2
3
4
F
NIU
16
21
12
19
68
Ball St.
17
25
15
19
76
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Women’s Basketball Earns “Gritty” Win in Midweek MACtion Over NIU
February 01, 2023 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals improved to 11-0 at home while extending their win streak to six
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team remained undefeated (11-0) at home in Worthen Arena Wednesday night after earning a gritty 76-68 victory over Northern Illinois.
The Cardinals (18-4, 8-1 MAC) came together as a team and were able to grind out a tough Mid-American Conference win over the Huskies (10-10, 2-7 MAC) after shooting 52 percent (32-61) from the field while defensively holding Northern Illinois to 39 percent (23-59) from the floor.
Historically, when these two teams collide it's a battle and tonight was no different as tonight's game came down to the wire something the Cardinals haven't been accustomed to much this season.
In the opening minutes of the ball game, it was a tug of war between the Cardinals and the Huskies. Ball State found itself in unfamiliar territory trailing Northern Illinois 16-13 with 2:23 left in the first quarter. But the Cardinals answered with back-to-back driving layups from sophomore Ally Becki and redshirt senior Anna Clephane to end the first frame of action with a slim 17-16 edge over NIU.
Ball State finally got its offensive groove back in the second quarter and was able to begin its quest to pull away from Northern Illinois. Senior Annie Rauch knocked down a 3-pointer with just over two minutes shaved off the clock and senior Sydney Shafer's driving layup put the Cardinals back up by seven (27-20) at the 7:10 mark. NIU stayed close throughout the remainder of the half, but the Cardinals would remain atop of the Huskies 42-37 at intermission.
The final two quarters mimicked the first half. Ball State continued to have the upper hand, but Northern Illinois battled until the very end to come within four (72-68) with under a minute remaining. Sophomore Madelyn Bischoff along with Clephane hit some key baskets down the stretch. As time was winding down, the Cardinals defensive rebounds along with a steal from graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir, would all play a vital role in tonight's victory.
For the game, Clephane led all players with 16 points while Bischoff wasn't too far behind with 15. Rauch registered 11 points and teammate Becki rounded out the double digit scoring with 10.
Defensively, sophomore Marie Kiefer pulled down 10 boards, eight defensive and the Cardinals as a team held one of NIU's top scorers, Chelby Koker to five points.
The Ball State women's basketball remains at home Saturday when it hosts Kent State in Worthen Arena at 11 a.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.
The Cardinals (18-4, 8-1 MAC) came together as a team and were able to grind out a tough Mid-American Conference win over the Huskies (10-10, 2-7 MAC) after shooting 52 percent (32-61) from the field while defensively holding Northern Illinois to 39 percent (23-59) from the floor.
Historically, when these two teams collide it's a battle and tonight was no different as tonight's game came down to the wire something the Cardinals haven't been accustomed to much this season.
In the opening minutes of the ball game, it was a tug of war between the Cardinals and the Huskies. Ball State found itself in unfamiliar territory trailing Northern Illinois 16-13 with 2:23 left in the first quarter. But the Cardinals answered with back-to-back driving layups from sophomore Ally Becki and redshirt senior Anna Clephane to end the first frame of action with a slim 17-16 edge over NIU.
Ball State finally got its offensive groove back in the second quarter and was able to begin its quest to pull away from Northern Illinois. Senior Annie Rauch knocked down a 3-pointer with just over two minutes shaved off the clock and senior Sydney Shafer's driving layup put the Cardinals back up by seven (27-20) at the 7:10 mark. NIU stayed close throughout the remainder of the half, but the Cardinals would remain atop of the Huskies 42-37 at intermission.
The final two quarters mimicked the first half. Ball State continued to have the upper hand, but Northern Illinois battled until the very end to come within four (72-68) with under a minute remaining. Sophomore Madelyn Bischoff along with Clephane hit some key baskets down the stretch. As time was winding down, the Cardinals defensive rebounds along with a steal from graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir, would all play a vital role in tonight's victory.
For the game, Clephane led all players with 16 points while Bischoff wasn't too far behind with 15. Rauch registered 11 points and teammate Becki rounded out the double digit scoring with 10.
Defensively, sophomore Marie Kiefer pulled down 10 boards, eight defensive and the Cardinals as a team held one of NIU's top scorers, Chelby Koker to five points.
The Ball State women's basketball remains at home Saturday when it hosts Kent State in Worthen Arena at 11 a.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.
Team Stats
NIU
BSU
FG%
.390
.525
3FG%
.333
.316
FT%
.857
.600
RB
35
32
TO
13
11
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
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