Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
WBB Completes Comeback Win at Ohio; Punches Ticket to MAC Tourney in Cleveland
February 17, 2024 | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio - The Ball State women's basketball team completed its 75-60 comeback at Ohio to bring home yet another victory while also sealing its fate in the upcoming 2024 Mid-American Conference Tournament (March 13-16).
This is the ninth time in current head coach Brady Sallee's tenure the Cardinals have punched their ticket straight to the MAC Tournament in Cleveland.
The Cardinals (22-3, 11-1 MAC) overcame their 17-point deficit over the Bobcats (7-16, 4-8 MAC) Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center after outscoring Ohio 44-20 in second half of play. Not only is that a testament to the Cardinals' offense but also their defense.
The first half was not a typical one for the Cardinals as the Ohio Bobcats came out of the gates strong building a 17-point (38-21) lead over Ball State with 2:57 left in the second quarter.
The Cardinals finally got back on track and closed out the second frame with a 10-2 scoring spree to bring Ball State to within nine (40-31) of Ohio at intermission. During the run, the Cardinals' bench came through with baskets from Annie Rauch, Ana Barreto and Estel Puiggros.
After the break, the Cardinals were on a mission outpacing the Bobcats 15-5 which was capped off by a 3-pointer from Nyla Hampton which put BSU on top 46-43 with just two minutes shaved off the clock.
The remainder of the third quarter was a seesaw match but the Cardinals continued to be resilient and were able to take a three-point (56-53) edge over Ohio after a steal from Hampton that set up Rauch for a layup off the dish from Marie Kiefer. That would be that last scoring play of third stanza.
The balance of the Ball State offense was unstoppable in the final quarter. The Cardinals defense also held the Bobcats scoreless for over five minutes. A nice move to the basket from Ally Becki put Ball State up 61-53. Puiggros then knocked down a 3-pointer to increase BSU's lead to 65-53 with 6:28 left. From that point forward the Cardinals never looked back and continued to lead the remainder of the contest.
For the game, Madelyn Bischoff led the Cardinals in scoring with 17 points while Rauch had 14 points and Becki rounded out the double figure scoring with 13. Hampton was just shy of a double-double after pulling down 11 rebounds and scoring nine points.
The Ball State women's basketball team returns to Worthen Arena Wednesday when it hosts Central Michigan for its annual "Think Pink" game. Tipoff is at 6:30 pm ET and fans are encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.
This is the ninth time in current head coach Brady Sallee's tenure the Cardinals have punched their ticket straight to the MAC Tournament in Cleveland.
The Cardinals (22-3, 11-1 MAC) overcame their 17-point deficit over the Bobcats (7-16, 4-8 MAC) Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center after outscoring Ohio 44-20 in second half of play. Not only is that a testament to the Cardinals' offense but also their defense.
The first half was not a typical one for the Cardinals as the Ohio Bobcats came out of the gates strong building a 17-point (38-21) lead over Ball State with 2:57 left in the second quarter.
The Cardinals finally got back on track and closed out the second frame with a 10-2 scoring spree to bring Ball State to within nine (40-31) of Ohio at intermission. During the run, the Cardinals' bench came through with baskets from Annie Rauch, Ana Barreto and Estel Puiggros.
After the break, the Cardinals were on a mission outpacing the Bobcats 15-5 which was capped off by a 3-pointer from Nyla Hampton which put BSU on top 46-43 with just two minutes shaved off the clock.
The remainder of the third quarter was a seesaw match but the Cardinals continued to be resilient and were able to take a three-point (56-53) edge over Ohio after a steal from Hampton that set up Rauch for a layup off the dish from Marie Kiefer. That would be that last scoring play of third stanza.
The balance of the Ball State offense was unstoppable in the final quarter. The Cardinals defense also held the Bobcats scoreless for over five minutes. A nice move to the basket from Ally Becki put Ball State up 61-53. Puiggros then knocked down a 3-pointer to increase BSU's lead to 65-53 with 6:28 left. From that point forward the Cardinals never looked back and continued to lead the remainder of the contest.
For the game, Madelyn Bischoff led the Cardinals in scoring with 17 points while Rauch had 14 points and Becki rounded out the double figure scoring with 13. Hampton was just shy of a double-double after pulling down 11 rebounds and scoring nine points.
The Ball State women's basketball team returns to Worthen Arena Wednesday when it hosts Central Michigan for its annual "Think Pink" game. Tipoff is at 6:30 pm ET and fans are encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.
Team Stats
BSU
Ohio
FG%
.339
.424
3FG%
.226
.250
FT%
.789
.364
RB
46
28
TO
19
19
STL
10
8
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Homecoming // Cardinal Sinners! Presented by Gameday Spirit
Friday, October 17
Ball State Women's Basketball // Coach Sallee: Attention Student-athletes & Season Preview
Tuesday, September 30
Women's Basketball // Season Preview with Head Coach Brady Sallee
Tuesday, September 30
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Jeff Mitchell, Brady Sallee, and Michael Lewis
Thursday, September 25