Women's Basketball Opens #MACtion With Road Win at Western Michigan

Wednesday, January 3

Kalamazoo, MI

7 pm

Ball State University

11-2,1-0MAC

Western Michigan University

5-6,0-1MAC

Ball St.

Western Mich.

Women's Basketball Opens #MACtion With Road Win at Western Michigan

January 03, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Five Cardinals notched double-figures in points in the Cardinals strong offensive showing against the Broncos Wednesday night at Read Fieldhouse/University Arena.

Ball State (11-2, 1-0 MAC) won its Mid-American Conference opener over Western Michigan (5-6, 0-1 MAC) by a score of 78-56. The Cardinals shoot over 54 percent from the field.

But it wasn't just the Cardinals offense that was on fire tonight. A collective defensive effort held Western Michigan to 39 percent shooting.

Alex Richard opened the game with a quick basket to give Ball State the early 2-0 edge. Although the next few minutes were tightly contested, the Cardinals ran away with it and built a 10-point (14-4) cushion by the 2:35 mark.  Annie Rauch completed an old fashion 3-point play with a bucket and a free throw to give BSU that lead. The Cardinals finished the first stanza with an 18-9 lead over the Broncos.

Nyla Hampton knocked one down from behind the arc to start the second 10 minutes of action. The Cardinals held onto a double digit lead up until the 2:03 mark when WMU came within eight (27-19). Ball State then closed out the first half with a 7-0 run to give the Cardinals a 34-19 edge over the Broncos.

After the break Ball State was unstoppable, and despite Western Michigan's efforts, the Broncos were unable to come within single digits the entire third quarter.

One of the nation's best 3-point shooters, Madelyn Bischoff, was left wide open in the corner allowing her to drain a three which extended Ball State's advantage to 17 (52-35) with just under three minutes left in the third. The Cardinals took a 56-44 cushion over the Broncos into the final 10 minutes.

From start-to-finish Ball State never lost its momentum, especially in the final period, outscoring Western Michigan 22-12 to seal its first league win of the season.

Ally Becki led the Cardinals with 15 points, including shooting 7-of-11 from the field. Both Marie Kiefer and Bischoff finished the contest with 14 points apiece while Hampton and Estel Puiggros contributed 11 points each.

As a team, the points in the paint statistic stood out as Ball State outscored WMU, 44-28.

The Ball State women's basketball team continues conference play on the road Saturday when it travels to Akron for a 2 pm ET tipoff in James A. Rhodes Arena.