Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
UIC
Undefeated Cardinals Host UIC Monday for "Hoops-Giving" Game
November 23, 2025 | Women's Basketball
The Ball State women's basketball team is looking to improve to 6-0 on the season
| Ball State vs. Illinois-Chicago | "Hoops-Giving" | |
| Game 6 vs. Illinois-Chicago | Monday, November 24 at 6:30 pm ET |
| Gameday Info | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Listen | Tickets | Roster Card |
| Game Notes and Media Info | Ball State | UIC |
| Social Media | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook |
It's GAMEDAY:
The Cardinals and the Flames haven't met since the 2000-01 season when Ball State defeated UIC in Chicago by a score of 93-58. The Cardinals lead the all-time series record 4-1. The lone loss to the Flames came on December 10, 1999 in Worthen Arena as UIC defeated BSU by an 82-75 ledger.
Last Game Highlights:
The Ball State women's basketball team's fiery defense helped lead the Cardinals to an 83-63 victory over Big XII foe Cincinnati Thursday night in Worthen Arena.
Ball State head coach Brady Sallee has now defeated a Power 4 conference team nine times during his tenure with the Cardinals — Minnesota (54-51, 2012-13), Iowa (77-72, 2015-16), Vanderbilt (88-79, 2017-18), Purdue (66-60, 2017-18), Pitt (68-66, 2022-23), Pitt (73-62, 2023-24), Georgia (52-51, 2023-24), Texas A&M (75-62) and Cincinnati (83-63).
Bree Salenbien led the Cardinals with a career best 26-point performance, she also registered her second double-double of the season after adding 10 rebounds.
For the game, Ball State pulled down 52 rebounds as a team. The Cardinals, who lead the nation in defensive rebounds, ended the contest with 34.
Thanksgiving in the Sunshine State:
The Cardinals head to Naples, Florida to take on Pitt and Alabama A&M over the holiday break. Ball State will play Pitt on Friday, Nov. 28 at 1:15 pm ET and will then take on Alabama A&M on Saturay at 1:15 pm ET.
5-0 Under Sallee for the Second Time:
The Ball State women's basketball team has started the season with a 5-0 record for the first time since the 2023-24 season and second time under Brady Sallee. The Cardinals have only went 5-0 three times in program history; 2005-06 (Tracy Roller), 2017-18 (Brady Sallee), 2023-24 (Brady Sallee).
International Success:
The Cardinals have had plenty of international success under 14th year head coach Brady Sallee. We all remember Nathalie Fontaine the 6-2 guard from Stockholm, Sweden became Ball State's all-time leading scorer with 2,166 points. The 2016 MAC Player of the Year and AP honorable mention averaged 21.0 points per game and 10.2 rebounds while making over 50 percent of her shots. After Fontaine was Carmen Grande a native from Madrid, Spain who held onto the all-time assists record with 697 until Ally Becki surpassed her last season with 721 and we also cannot forget Thelma Dis Agustsdottir from Keflavik, Iceland who holds the all-time 3-point record with 325 treys. Agustsdottir also competed at the Celsius 3-point championship at the NCAA Tournament.
Scouting Illinois-Chicago:
- UIC enters Monday's contest with a 2-3 overall record. The Flames are coming off of a 68-54 victory to Loyola at home in Credit Union 1 Arena on Saturday. Julia Coleman recorded her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
- The Cardinals welcome back Ashleen Bracey to Worthen Arena. Bracey was an assistant coach at Ball State under Brady Sallee in 2012-13. She helped the Cardinals to a 17-16 overall record and a 12-4 conference ledger along with a postseason WNIT final 16 finish.
- Jessica Carrothers leads the flames this season in scoring averaging 18.6 points per contest while shooting 53 percent (42-79) from the field. Two other Flames averaging double figures, Amelia Strong (13.0 ppg) and Julia Coleman (12.6 ppg).
- UIC has already played a team from the Mid-American Conference this season. The Flames defeated fellow MAC member Northern Illinois by a score of 66-55 on Nov. 13 in Chicago.
- Four of the UIC women's basketball team earned preseason watch list honors from the Missouri Valley Conference. Seniors Jessica Carrothers and Amelia Strong, redshirt junior Jaya McClure, and sophomore Samantha Serrano were each selected among a competitive group of student-athletes from across The Valley.
