WBB Dominates Miami in #MACtion; Improves to 17-2 for Best Start in Program History

Wednesday, January 24

Muncie, Ind.

6:30 pm

Ball State University

17-2,7-0MAC

Miami University (OH) (Youth Night)

4-13,2-5MAC

Miami (OH)

Ball St.

WBB Dominates Miami in #MACtion; Improves to 17-2 for Best Start in Program History

January 24, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Cardinals remain unblemished in Mid-American Conference action with a 7-0 mark for the first time since the 2000-2001 season

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Cardinals improved to 17-2 overall for the best start in program history after defeating the RedHawks 89-53 Wednesday night in Worthen Arena.

Ball State also remained atop of the Mid-American Conference standings with a 7-0 league ledger which hasn't been done since the 2000-2001 season when the Cardinals went 8-0 in MAC play. With the loss, Miami dropped to 4-13 overall and 2-5 in conference action.

All 14 Cardinals played in tonight's contest with 13 of 14 scoring two or more points. In total, the bench scored 46 points tonight.

Offensively, Ball State was led by Ana Barreto and Nyla Hampton each tallying 14 points apiece. Barreto's 14-point performance was a career high for the sophomore. Rounding out the double figure scoring was Madelyn Bischoff with 12.

In games past the Cardinals have had a bit of a slow offensive start in the opening 10 minutes of play. Tonight was different though, as Ball State dominated the first frame of action over the RedHawks outscoring Miami 17-7. Most of the the Cardinals' scoring in the first period came from Nyla Hampton (8 pts) and Marie Kiefer (6 pts).

Ball State continued to dominate in the second quarter eventually building a 31-14 advantage over Miami at the midway point after back-to-back 3-pointers from Hampton and Barretto. The RedHawks tried to pick up their defense, but the Cardinals were unstoppable outscoring the RedHawks 31-9.

BSU handled the ball well committing only four turnovers in the first half, that along with 10 team 3-pointers helped propel the Cardinals to an impressive 48-16 lead over Miami at intermission.

The third and fourth quarters mimicked one another with the Cardinals continuing to play nearly flawless basketball. Even though BSU had a 20+ lead much of the contest, the Cardinals never let up on either side of the ball tonight.

For the game, the stats that jump out are points-in-the-paint with Ball State outpacing Miami (34-18) and points off turnovers (32-9).

The Ball State women's basketball team continues Mid-American Conference action when it plays at Eastern Michigan Saturday at 1 pm ET.