Saturday, February 3
Muncie, Ind.
1 pm
Ball State University
97
vs
66
Ohio University (Alumni Night)
Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
WBB Reaches 20-win mark while Remaining Undefeated in #MACtion with Defeat over Ohio
February 03, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals extend their win streak to 14 while improving to 20-2 on the season and 10-0 in MAC play
MUNCIE, Ind. - For the seventh time under 12th-year head coach Brady Sallee and the second season in a row, the Cardinals have reached the 20-win plateau after Ball State's 97-66 defeat over Ohio University Saturday afternoon in Worthen Arena.
Sallee's 20-win seasons at Ball State were — 22-10 (2015-16), 21-11 (2016-17) 25-7 (2017-18), 21-10 (2019-20), 20-13 (2021-22), 26-9 (2022-23) and 20-2 (2023-24).
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 20-12 on the season and 10-0 in Mid-American Conference play which continues to be the program's record for both. Ball State also extended its win streak to 14 for the longest win streak in program history. The Bobcats fall to 6-24 overall and 4-15 in league play.
It wasn't the offense that started the game off strong in the opening 10 minutes it was the Cardinals' defense that played a big role in Ball State jumping out to a 10-2 lead over Ohio at the 6:02 mark. Midway through the first quarter, the Cardinals had already forced the Bobcats to commit five turnovers. The defense allowed Ball State to play its best basketball, which is an up tempo offense, a steal from Nyla Hampton and back-to-back 3-pointers from Estel Puiggros gave BSU an impressive 23-9 lead over Ohio to end the first quarter.
The Cardinals biggest threat is that all 14 players can find a way to score no matter what lineup Sallee has out on the floor. Ana Barreto went into the game in the second quarter and threw down one from behind the arc. Shortly after, Ally Becki stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a fast break layup to make the score, 28-11. Ball State never looked back the remainder of the second frame, outpacing Ohio 26-12 to take a 28-point (49-21) advantage over the Bobcats at intermission which was capped off by a 3-pointer from Puiggros at the buzzer.
After the break, the Bobcats came out of the gates hefty on defense, but the Cardinals continued to find a way to score despite Ohio's valiant efforts to stop them. Ball State continued its strong play on both sides of the ball and would go up 74-39 as both teams headed into the last 10 minutes of action.
In the final stanza, the Cardinals near 40-point lead to start the fourth would ultimately make it impossible for the Bobcats to make any kind of comeback. Ball State went on to win the game by 31 points.
Longtime veteran Puiggros registered a new career high as she led Ball State with 18 points which included 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Alex Richard turned in a 12-point performance while Madelyn Bischoff ended the day with 11. Rounding out the double-digit scoring was Hampton and Marie Kiefer each having 10-points apiece.
For the game, Ball State out-rebounded Ohio 38-26 while shooting 55 percent from the field (36-65). BSU also scored 42 points off Ohio's 23 miscues.
The Ball State women's basketball team continue Mid-American Conference action on the road Wednesday at Northern Illinois. Tip-off against the Huskies will begin at 7 pm ET in the Convocation Center.
Sallee's 20-win seasons at Ball State were — 22-10 (2015-16), 21-11 (2016-17) 25-7 (2017-18), 21-10 (2019-20), 20-13 (2021-22), 26-9 (2022-23) and 20-2 (2023-24).
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 20-12 on the season and 10-0 in Mid-American Conference play which continues to be the program's record for both. Ball State also extended its win streak to 14 for the longest win streak in program history. The Bobcats fall to 6-24 overall and 4-15 in league play.
It wasn't the offense that started the game off strong in the opening 10 minutes it was the Cardinals' defense that played a big role in Ball State jumping out to a 10-2 lead over Ohio at the 6:02 mark. Midway through the first quarter, the Cardinals had already forced the Bobcats to commit five turnovers. The defense allowed Ball State to play its best basketball, which is an up tempo offense, a steal from Nyla Hampton and back-to-back 3-pointers from Estel Puiggros gave BSU an impressive 23-9 lead over Ohio to end the first quarter.
The Cardinals biggest threat is that all 14 players can find a way to score no matter what lineup Sallee has out on the floor. Ana Barreto went into the game in the second quarter and threw down one from behind the arc. Shortly after, Ally Becki stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a fast break layup to make the score, 28-11. Ball State never looked back the remainder of the second frame, outpacing Ohio 26-12 to take a 28-point (49-21) advantage over the Bobcats at intermission which was capped off by a 3-pointer from Puiggros at the buzzer.
After the break, the Bobcats came out of the gates hefty on defense, but the Cardinals continued to find a way to score despite Ohio's valiant efforts to stop them. Ball State continued its strong play on both sides of the ball and would go up 74-39 as both teams headed into the last 10 minutes of action.
In the final stanza, the Cardinals near 40-point lead to start the fourth would ultimately make it impossible for the Bobcats to make any kind of comeback. Ball State went on to win the game by 31 points.
Longtime veteran Puiggros registered a new career high as she led Ball State with 18 points which included 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Alex Richard turned in a 12-point performance while Madelyn Bischoff ended the day with 11. Rounding out the double-digit scoring was Hampton and Marie Kiefer each having 10-points apiece.
For the game, Ball State out-rebounded Ohio 38-26 while shooting 55 percent from the field (36-65). BSU also scored 42 points off Ohio's 23 miscues.
The Ball State women's basketball team continue Mid-American Conference action on the road Wednesday at Northern Illinois. Tip-off against the Huskies will begin at 7 pm ET in the Convocation Center.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
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