Ball State University
23-4,12-2MAC
University of Toledo
21-4,13-1MAC
Women’s Basketball Suffers Tough Road Loss at Toledo
February 24, 2024 | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio - The Ball State women's basketball team (23-4, 12-2 MAC) suffered a 70-48 setback at Toledo (21-4, 13-1 MAC) Saturday afternoon in John F. Savage Arena.
For such a highly anticipated ball game it came to no surprise that both teams opened the contest with some first quarter jitters. The first basket was finally scored by a driving layup from Madelyn Bischoff at the 6:51 mark. The Cardinals held the Rockets high powered offense scoreless for the first five minutes. It was a defensive battle that couldn't be stopped as both teams were forcing shots with Toledo taking a slight 10-6 edge over Ball State to end the first stanza.
Ball State struggled to get its offense going as Toledo would stop the Cardinals in their tracks on every possession to start the second frame. Marie Kiefer kept the Cardinals close to the Rockets with a few free throws and a 3-pointer. Ball State trailed by five (16-11) with just under five to play in the first half. The Rockets closed out the second period with an 11-5 run that would give Toledo the 27-16 lead at intermission.
After the break, Alex Richard opened the third quarter with back-to-back baskets to give BSU a bit more confidence. Toledo though immediately answered right back to increase its lead to 35-22 with 6:47 on the clock. Ally Becki got hot midway through the third but despite the Cardinals efforts the Rockets also continued to find ways to score. Toledo would end up taking a 17-point advantage (52-35) over Ball State as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of action.
Unfortunately, Ball State never recovered from its first half shooting woes and although the team fought hard Toledo used its home court advantage to seal today's victory.
For the game, Richard led the Cardinals with 10 points with Becki, Kiefer, and Bischoff each had seven apiece.
The Ball State women's basketball team returns home Wednesday when it hosts Akron at 6:30 pm ET.
