Ball State University
University of Toledo (Residence Hall Red Out)
WBB Battles MAC Rival Toledo on National Stage in Worthen Arena
January 20, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals and the Rockets will play on the CBS Sports Network both teams are undefeated in MAC play
Ball State (15-2, 5-0 MAC) vs Toledo (12-3, 5-0 MAC)
January 20, 2024 >> Worthen Arena >>Muncie, Ind.>> 6 pm ET
Opening Tip:
- Junior Ally Becki took it upon herself scoring a career best 36 points to help the Cardinals move past the Chippewas 79-47 Wednesday afternoon in McGuirk Arena.
- Becki's 36-points ties her for fifth all-time for most points scored in a game. She also went 10-11 from the field and 7-8 from 3-point range. The seven three pointers are also tied for sixth all-time in program history. Becki also went 9-10 from the charity stripe.
- Ball State's 5-0 MAC start is the first for Ball State 12th-year head coach Brady Sallee. The last time the Cardinals began league play 5-0 was the 2002-03 season. The last time the Cardinals went 6-0 at the start of MAC play was the 2000-2001 season under former coach Brenda Oldfield.
- It may be early into the conference season but there are two teams fighting for the top stop in the MAC standings -- Ball State (5-0) and Toledo (5-0). The Cardinals are the only team in conference play that has only two losses with an overall mark of 15-2. Ball State and rival Toledo will battle it out on Sunday in Worthen Arena on CBS Sports Network.
- Sunday's contest marks the 92nd time in program history the two schools have met with Toledo leading the all-time series record, 61-30. The Rockets won the two-game home and away series over the Cardinals last season.
- Nyla Hampton is one-point shy of 1,000 career points when she enters play versus Toledo. Hampton finished her career at Bowling Green with 865 points and she has totaled 134 point thus far for her career as a Cardinal for a total of 999 career points. Ally Becki needs 10-points to reach 1,000 career points as well. It will be the first time two players have reached 1,000 points in the same ball game.
- Annie Rauch is nearing 1,000 points as well with 892 points she needs 108 to reach the 1,000 point club as well. The last time three Ball State players scored a 1,000 points in the same season was Renee Bennett, Jill Morrison and Moriah Monaco in 2016-17.
In the MAC:
The Cardinals sit atop of the Mid-American Conference with a 14-2 non-conference mark. Ball State is the only school in league play that has only two losses. As a team, the Cardinals rank first in the MAC in bench points per game (24.6), field goal percentage (44.4), steals per game (11.0), three pointers per game (8.7), turnover margin (4.81) and winning percentage (87.5).
Home Sweet Home:
John E. Worthen Arena has been very good to the Cardinals for the past decade. Ball State has a record of 179-86 (.654) at Worthen Arena from 2004-present. In 12 seasons Brady Sallee has compiled a 114-51 (.659) record in Worthen Arena. His best season at home was last season as the Cardinals finished 15-1 at home.
Next Game:
Ball State returns to home Wednesday for a Mid-American Conference contest at 6:30 pm ET in Worthen Arena. Wednesday's game against Miami will mark the 73rd time in program history the two schools have met with the RedHawks leading the all-time series 40-32. Ball State won both its meeting over Miami last season.
