
Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics
Women’s Basketball Falls in Defensive Battle to South Dakota State
December 01, 2024 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (5-3) fell in a 63-55 defensive battle to South Dakota State (5-2) Sunday afternoon in Worthen Arena.
For the game, the Cardinals' all-time block leader, Marie Kiefer, led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds while Ally Becki finished the day with a 14-point performance. Ball State remained strong in the paint, as it has all season, outscoring South Dakota State, 32-14.
The first quarter saw the Jack Rabbits jump ahead of the Cardinals early in the first quarter of play. Some key rebounds and baskets from Kiefer kept Ball State within reach. Becki nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it only a two-point (20-18) contest at the end of the frame.
The Cardinals began to look like themselves in the second 10 minutes of action making defensive stops while also transitioning the ball well on offense.
Becki sewed the seed to Kiefer under the basket to knot the game at 24-24 at the 5:27 mark. Maliyah "MJ" Johnson completed an old fashioned 3-point play to give BSU its first lead of the ball game, 27-26 with 4:10 left on the clock. The Jack Rabbits answered quickly knotting the game again, 27-27. But the Cardinals would end up closing the first half with a 6-0 run to give BSU the 33-27 edge over South Dakota State at intermission.
After the break, both teams continued to play gritty basketball. Ball State started to make some unforeseen errors which led to South Dakota taking back a four-point (39-35) advantage with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter.
The Cardinals continued to struggle offensively as the Jack Rabbits outscored BSU 16-3 eventually building a seven-point edge (43-36) as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of action.
The Jack Rabbits carried their momentum into the fourth stanza extended their lead over the Cardinals to a 14-point (43-57) cushion with 4:10 left in the ball game. Unfortunately, Ball State could not recover, and South Dakota would shatter its hopes of making a comeback.
The Ball State women's basketball team will host its annual "Field Trip Day" on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. ET against Davidson.
Single game tickets are on sale now! Secure your seats for any upcoming game and be part of the excitement at Worthen Arena! Tickets are priced at just $12 for adults and $7 for youth (18 and under). Click HERE to secure your tickets!
For the game, the Cardinals' all-time block leader, Marie Kiefer, led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds while Ally Becki finished the day with a 14-point performance. Ball State remained strong in the paint, as it has all season, outscoring South Dakota State, 32-14.
The first quarter saw the Jack Rabbits jump ahead of the Cardinals early in the first quarter of play. Some key rebounds and baskets from Kiefer kept Ball State within reach. Becki nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it only a two-point (20-18) contest at the end of the frame.
The Cardinals began to look like themselves in the second 10 minutes of action making defensive stops while also transitioning the ball well on offense.
Becki sewed the seed to Kiefer under the basket to knot the game at 24-24 at the 5:27 mark. Maliyah "MJ" Johnson completed an old fashioned 3-point play to give BSU its first lead of the ball game, 27-26 with 4:10 left on the clock. The Jack Rabbits answered quickly knotting the game again, 27-27. But the Cardinals would end up closing the first half with a 6-0 run to give BSU the 33-27 edge over South Dakota State at intermission.
After the break, both teams continued to play gritty basketball. Ball State started to make some unforeseen errors which led to South Dakota taking back a four-point (39-35) advantage with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter.
The Cardinals continued to struggle offensively as the Jack Rabbits outscored BSU 16-3 eventually building a seven-point edge (43-36) as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of action.
The Jack Rabbits carried their momentum into the fourth stanza extended their lead over the Cardinals to a 14-point (43-57) cushion with 4:10 left in the ball game. Unfortunately, Ball State could not recover, and South Dakota would shatter its hopes of making a comeback.
The Ball State women's basketball team will host its annual "Field Trip Day" on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. ET against Davidson.
Single game tickets are on sale now! Secure your seats for any upcoming game and be part of the excitement at Worthen Arena! Tickets are priced at just $12 for adults and $7 for youth (18 and under). Click HERE to secure your tickets!
Team Stats
SDSU
BSU
FG%
.404
.364
3FG%
.500
.167
FT%
.778
.632
RB
35
31
TO
16
13
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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