Wednesday, January 31
Muncie, Ind.
6:30 pm
Ball State University
19-2,9-0MAC
57
vs
46
Kent State University
13-6,7-2MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Kent St.
11
6
15
14
46
Ball St.
20
11
12
14
57
Women’s Basketball Outpaces Kent State to Remain Undefeated in #MACtion
January 31, 2024 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - As two of the best defensive teams battled it out in Worthen Arena tonight, the Cardinals were able to outpace the Kent State Golden Flashes to remain undefeated (9-0) in Mid-American Conference action while also extended their win streak to 13 for the first time in program history.
Ball State (19-2, 9-0 MAC) remained atop of the MAC standings with its 57-46 defeat over Kent State (13-6, 7-2 MAC).
The Cardinal's win was led by junior Ally Becki who scored 16 points while teammate senior Annie Rauch wasn't too far chipping in 15 on the night. Rauch and Kiefer led the defensive charge with seven rebounds apiece.
The opening 10 minutes of play was intense which was to be expected as Ball State and Kent State are both presently two of the top teams to beat in the MAC. The Cardinals however have struggled in the first quarter in games past, but a different team showed up tonight. Ball State was able to jump to an early 12-4 lead over Kent State with just under five-minutes left in the frame. The remaining five minutes was a battle, but the Cardinals were able to end the quarter atop of Kent State by a score of 20-11.
It was pure defense in the second period that consisted of a lot of jump balls, players hitting the floor and the Cardinals holding the Golden Flashes to only six points. Ball State finally broke the scoring drought at the 2:30 mark when Kiefer drained a 3-pointer off the dribble. Rauch later completed the old fashioned 3-point basket to keep Ball State's offense going. A few minutes later, Rauch had a steal and a fast break layup that would end the first half with Ball State having a 31-17 lead over Kent State at intermission.
The tables turned after the break and the Golden Flashes would outpace the Cardinals 23-5 for the majority of the third stanza to make the score 34-30 with 2:57 on the clock. It came to no surprise that the three-time MAC Player of the Week recipient, Becki answered and scored seven points to close out the third period which allowed the Cardinals to take an 11-point (43-32) advantage into the final 10 minutes of action.
The Cardinals were able to carry that momentum into the final quarter. BSU started the fourth period off with a 6-0 run to increase its lead to 51-32 with 5:27 left in the ball game. Despite Kent State's valiant efforts for a comeback, Ball State's defense was able to fend the Golden Flashes the rest of the contest to secure tonight's victory.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues its two-game home stand when it hosts Ohio Saturday in Worthen Arena at 1 pm ET.
Ball State (19-2, 9-0 MAC) remained atop of the MAC standings with its 57-46 defeat over Kent State (13-6, 7-2 MAC).
The Cardinal's win was led by junior Ally Becki who scored 16 points while teammate senior Annie Rauch wasn't too far chipping in 15 on the night. Rauch and Kiefer led the defensive charge with seven rebounds apiece.
The opening 10 minutes of play was intense which was to be expected as Ball State and Kent State are both presently two of the top teams to beat in the MAC. The Cardinals however have struggled in the first quarter in games past, but a different team showed up tonight. Ball State was able to jump to an early 12-4 lead over Kent State with just under five-minutes left in the frame. The remaining five minutes was a battle, but the Cardinals were able to end the quarter atop of Kent State by a score of 20-11.
It was pure defense in the second period that consisted of a lot of jump balls, players hitting the floor and the Cardinals holding the Golden Flashes to only six points. Ball State finally broke the scoring drought at the 2:30 mark when Kiefer drained a 3-pointer off the dribble. Rauch later completed the old fashioned 3-point basket to keep Ball State's offense going. A few minutes later, Rauch had a steal and a fast break layup that would end the first half with Ball State having a 31-17 lead over Kent State at intermission.
The tables turned after the break and the Golden Flashes would outpace the Cardinals 23-5 for the majority of the third stanza to make the score 34-30 with 2:57 on the clock. It came to no surprise that the three-time MAC Player of the Week recipient, Becki answered and scored seven points to close out the third period which allowed the Cardinals to take an 11-point (43-32) advantage into the final 10 minutes of action.
The Cardinals were able to carry that momentum into the final quarter. BSU started the fourth period off with a 6-0 run to increase its lead to 51-32 with 5:27 left in the ball game. Despite Kent State's valiant efforts for a comeback, Ball State's defense was able to fend the Golden Flashes the rest of the contest to secure tonight's victory.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues its two-game home stand when it hosts Ohio Saturday in Worthen Arena at 1 pm ET.
Team Stats
KentSt
BSU
FG%
.328
.375
3FG%
.200
.185
FT%
.235
.667
RB
46
38
TO
15
10
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
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