Ball State University
University at Buffalo
Women's Basketball Travels to Buffalo Saturday; Looks to Remain Undefeated in #MACtion
January 10, 2025 | Women's Basketball
Game #16 Cardinals vs. Bulls
Ball State (11-4, 3-0 MAC) vs.Buffalo (13-1,2-1 MAC)
Jan. 11, 2025 >>Alumni Arena>>2 pm ET>>Muncie, Ind.
Opening Tip:
- Saturday's game against Buffalo will mark the 39th time in program history the two schools have met, with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 22-16.
- Ball State has not lost on the road at Buffalo since the 2018-19 season when the score was 77-65 on Jan. 16, 2019. Since then, the Cardinals have brought home a victory. Ball State and Buffalo's first-ever meeting was on Jan. 30 at Buffalo in 1998-99.
- The Cardinals defeated the Bulls in their last meeting by a score of 71-50 in Alumni Arena on March 9, 2024. Current senior Alex Richard led BSU that game with 18 points.
- Ball State won the home-and-away series last season against Buffalo.
- Buffalo returns five players from last seasons squad including Chellia Watson, Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Alexis Davis, Paula Lopez and Sitota Gines. Five players combined have scored 1,158 points so far this season.
- The Cardinals have been road warriors the past four years during Mid-American Conference action. Ball State owns a 28-10 (.736) ledger when playing league games on the road dating back to the 2021 MAC season with its best showing being in 2021 when the Cardinals went 9-1 that year.
- For the second-straight season, the Cardinals have opened Mid-American Conference with a 3-0 ledger. Ball State remains the only team in league play that is undefeated.
- Ball State is coming off of a 101-69 victory Wednesday night in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals shot a whopping 60 percent from the field which was led by Alex Richard who had 21 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. The all-around team offensive success also had a lot to do with team's unselfishness tonight, which was apparent as the Cardinals dished out 25 assists, with Lachelle Austin leading the charge with 11. The all-around team offensive success also had a lot to do with team's unselfishness tonight, which was apparent as the Cardinals dished out 25 assists, with Lachelle Austin leading the charge with 11.
Sallee is HOT in January:
It may be cold outside but the Cardinals tend to get hot in the month of January under 13th-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee owns an overall record of 71-29 (.710) in the month of January dating back to his first season in 2012-13.
11-1 at the Half:
The Cardinals own an 11-1 ledger when Ball State ends the first half with the lead. The lone loss came against Columbia University as the Cardinals had a 31-25 edge against the Jack Rabbits at halftime on Nov. 25, 2024 in the last game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Forcing Miscues:
Ball State has caused its opponents to commit 292 miscues in 15 games. The Cardinals have been able to turn those turnovers into a total of 322 points so far this season: Old Dominion (21 pts), IU Indy (25 pts), Memphis (22 pts), Northern Iowa (21 pts), No. 16 Northern Carolina (14 pts), Texas A&M (29 pts), Columbia (8), South Dakota State (17), Davidson (24), Northern Kentucky (20 pts), Anderson (46), Miami (31), Central Michigan (22) and Eastern Michigan (22).
Becki MAC Player of the Week:
Ally Buckets did it again this week for the Cardinals as the senior guard averaged 21.0 points per game, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals while shooting 56 percent (13-23) from the field and went a perfect 13-13 from the charity stripe. Becki helped the Cardinals to a 2-0 start in the Mid-American Conference play for the second-straight season. Becki opened #MACtion with a 22-point, nine rebound, seven assists and four steals performance in a road victory at Miami on Wednesday to ring in the New Year. On Saturday, Becki pretty much mimicked that performance as she led the Cardinals again with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a win versus Central Michigan.
