Women’s Basketball Loses Tough Road Battle at NIU

Saturday, February 18

DeKalb, IL

2 pm ET (1 pm CT)

Ball State University

22-5,12-2MAC

Northern Illinois University

14-11,6-8MAC

Ball St.

NIU

Photo by: Samantha Blankenship (Ball State Creative Services)

Women’s Basketball Loses Tough Road Battle at NIU

February 18, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. - Coming off a huge upset win over Bowling Green Wednesday, Northern Illinois carried that momentum into Saturday's contest to hand Ball State women's basketball an 84-77 setback in the NIU Convocation Center.

In a battle of two solid defensive squads, the Cardinals (22-5, 12-2 MAC) would rally from as many as 14 down to take a one-point edge late in the third. Unfortunately, the Huskies (14-11, 6-8 MAC) would regain control to secure the win.

The first quarter was close even though the Huskies outscored the Cardinals by five (19-14).

It was the second frame that really gave Ball State fits. BSU had lot of offensive looks that rattled in and out so that would be part of the struggle. The Huskies would then outpace the Cardinals 26-17 to take a 47-35 advantage into the intermission.

After the break, Ball State came out on fire midway through the third quarter as sophomore Ally Becki nailed a jumper that sparked a 13-0 run. Redshirt senior Anna Clephane's basket at the 1:17 mark gave the Cardinals the lead (52-51) for the first time since early in the opening quarter.

Ball State would end up outscoring Northern Illinois 23-11 in the third to make it a one-possession game (56-54) heading into the final 10 minutes of play. Unfortunately, NIU would control the scoreboard in the final quarter to secure the win.

While the contest came down to the final stanza, the Huskies took a page out of the Cardinals playbook and shot a staggering 52% (10-for-19) from the 3-point line to secure the win. Meanwhile, the Cardinals went 6-for-20 from behind the arc. Rebounding was an issue as well, with the Huskies out rebounding Ball State, 33-28.

Four Cardinals reached double figures in the game, with Clephane leading the way with 19 points. Becki finished the game with 14, while graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir had 12 and sophomore Madelyn Bischoff ended the game with 11.

The Ball State women's basketball team returns to Worthen Arena for its final two regular season home games, starting with a Wednesday showdown with Western Michigan. Tipoff is set for 6:30 pm ET.