Ball State University
Ohio University
Women's Basketball Visits Ohio Wednesday in Midweek #MACtion
January 28, 2025 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals look to remain undefeated in conference play in Athens
Ball State (16-4, 8-0 MAC) vs. Ohio (4-14, 2-6 MAC)
Jan. 29, 2025 | 7 pm ET | Athens, Ohio (Convocation Center)
Opening Tip:Â
- Wednesday's game against Ohio will mark the 74th time in program history the two schools have met with the Bobcats leading the all-time series record, 39-34. The Cardinals won the home-and-away series against Ohio last season with a 97-66 victory on Feb. 3, 2024 in Worthen Arena and then a 75-60 defeat at the Convocation Center on Feb. 17, 2024.
- The last time these two teams met was in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Tournament quarter final round in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cardinals beat the Bobcats that game 77-53 on March 13, 2024.
 - Ball State is one of only five teams that have won 10-straight contests while ranking 38th in the nation in win percentage (16-4 | .800).Â
- The Cardinals have been road warriors the past four years during Mid-American Conference action. Ball State owns a 31-10 (.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 an 8-0 ledger. Ball State remains the only team in league play that is undefeated.
- Ball State has won 12-straight MAC regular season games dating back to last year. Â The Cardinals haven't lost a regular season league contest since Feb. 24, 2024, which was at Toledo.Â
- The Cardinals rank in the top 50 in the nation in these statistical categories; 40th in field goal percentage (45.7), 45th in scoring margin (14.8) and 46th in assists per game (16.3).
Inside the Paint:
Ball State is 12-2 when winning the paint battle and this year; vs. Old Dominion (38-24), IU Indy (36-12), Memphis (60-28), Northern Iowa (28-24) Northern Kentucky (36-16), Anderson (82-22), Miami (24-16), Eastern Michigan (54-30), Buffalo (38-36, Kent State (38-18), Akron (42-22), Toledo (46-36) and Northern Illinois (40-26). Ball State tied with Texas A&M, 34-34. BSU led that stat category in a loss to South Dakota State (32-14).
16-1 at the Half:
The Cardinals own an 16-1 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.Â
Becki Receives 9th Career MAC Player of the Week Honor:
Ally Becki had a successful week helping the Cardinals remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference action after posting wins against Toledo and Northern Illinois. Becki opened the week with a 26-point performance on the CBS Sports Network in Worthen Arena against the Rockets. It was Becki's second half performance versus Toledo that was impressive as she scored 18 of her 26 points during the third and fourth quarters. She also dished out nine assists. On Saturday, Becki led all scorers after tallying 20 points at Northern Illinois making some key baskets that allowed the Cardinals to bring home the victory. For the week, Becki averaged 23.0 points per game, pulled down 5.5 rebounds per contest while dishing out 7.0 assists per game. She shot 67 percent (19-28) from the field and went a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe while averaging 34 minutes per contest.
150 Conference Wins For Sallee:
The over Toledo Monday was head coach Brady Sallee's 150th career MAC regular season victory, ranking him the third winningest coach in MACÂ women's basketball history behind his former boss Bob Lindsay (232) and Tricia Cullop (194).
Scouting Ohio:
Ohio has a 4-14 overall and 2-6 conference record heading into its matchup with Ball State.
The Bobcats average 59.0 PPG; shooting 37.4 percent from the field, 28.3 percent from the arc and 67.4 percent from the line. The team averages 32 rebounds, 10.9 assists and 8.1 steals per game. Ohio has forced 16.3 turnovers per game and averages 11.9 points off turnovers.
Ohio's opponents average 72.9 PPG; shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from the arc and 71.7 percent from the line. Opponents average 42.7 rebounds, 16.9 assists and 9.6 steals per game. Opponents have forced Ohio to give up 18.8 turnovers per game and average 19.3 points off turnovers.
Kennedi Watkins leads the team in scoring with a total of 255 points. Bailey Tabeling ranks first on the team for rebounds (86), assists (49) and steals (37). Kate Dennis has a team-high 11 blocks.
