Ball State University
University of Memphis (Jersey Night)
Women's Basketball Welcomes Memphis to Worthen Arena Wednesday
November 12, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals are looking to improve to 3-0 this season against the Tigers
Ball State (2-0) vs. Memphis (2-1)
Nov. 12, 2024 >> Worthen Arena >>Muncie, Ind. >>6:30 pm ET>>Jersey Night
Opening Tip:
- This is only the second-ever meeting between the Memphis Tigers and the Ball State Cardinals. Ball State and Memphis faced each other for the first time on March 20, 2023 in the second round of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament. The Cardinals fell to the Tigers by a score of 79-62.Â
- The Cardinals have opened their season with a 2-0 record for the second-straight year after posting wins over Old Dominion (60-46) and IU Indy (89-63). It is the 13th time in program history the Cardinals have opened their season 2-0 and the fourth time under Brady Sallee.
- Memphis comes to Ball State with a 2-1 overall record after posting wins over Mississippi Valley State (89-78) and Samford (88-75). The Tigers only loss thus far came against Mississippi State by a score of 100-56.
- Only two teams have two wins in the Mid-American Conference currently so far this season. Both Ball State and Buffalo have opened their seasons with a 2-0 ledger.
- In true Ally Becki bucket fashion, the senior opened the season last week averaging 17.0 point per game, 6.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. Becki opened the week with a 13 point, eight rebound performance in the Cardinals' win over Old Dominion. She then finished the week leading the squad with 21 points while dishing out a game high nine assists as Ball State pulled off the victory over in-state rival IU Indy on Friday. Becki also shot 80 percent from the charity stripe and 47 percent from the field this week.
- Ball State's victories over Old Dominion and IU Indy came in the 239th game of Brady Sallee's head coaching career for the Cardinals. He is now 239-147 in his 13th season and stands 11 wins away from the 300-victory milestone.
2023-24 Recap:
- The Cardinals tallied 28 overall wins and 16 MAC victories, with both being program records.Â
- Ball State earned the No. 2 seed in the MAC Tournament last year, reaching the semifinals for the third-straight season, and received votes in the USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll for nine straight weeks during the year.Â
- Ball State ended the season by hosting the first round of the inaugural NCAA Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament.
- Ball State returns Ally Becki and Madeyln Bischoff who were both post season All-MAC selections. Becki earned All-MAC FIrst Team honors while Bischoff was selected All-MAC Third Team.Â
- Four returning starters have 700+ career points going into the 2024-25 season; Ally Becki (1,191), Madelyn Bischoff (825), Alex Richard (727) and Marie Kiefer (726).
Inside the Paint:
Last season, Ball State went 17-0 when winning the paint battle and this year has gotten off to a 2-0 start for the Cardinals; vs. Old Dominion (38-24) and IU Indy (36-12).
Home Sweet Home:
John E. Worthen Arena has been very good to the Cardinals for the past decade. Ball State has a record of 189-86 (.654) at Worthen Arena from 2004-present. In 13 seasons Brady Sallee has compiled a 123-55 (.691) record in Worthen Arena. His best season at home was in 2022-23 when the Cardinals went 15-1 in Worthen.Â
From Indiana:
The Cardinals' roster includes six players and one coach from the state of Indiana
- Audrey Spencer
Scouting Memphis:
- Memphis heads to Indiana for their second away game of the season. The Tigers are currently 0-1 on the road after losing at Mississippi State by a score of 56-100 on
Nov. 7.Â
- The Tigers are coming off of an 88-75 win against Samford on Nov. 10. The Tigers outscored Samford, 46-34, in the second half to pick up their sixth consecutive home victory.
- Memphis played the Cardinals for the first time on March 20, 2023, in the Second Round of the Women's NIT at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Then Tigers dominated the first and fourth quarters,shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three to win, 79-62, and advance to the Round of 16. Jamirah Shutes had 23 points; Hannah Riddick, then a sophomore, grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.Â
- Head Coach Alex Simmons is in year two at the helm of the Memphis women's basketball program. The Tigers went 8-5 in their last 13 games, including a five-game winning streak.They finished fifth in the AAC with a 9-9 conference record.
