Sunday, November 9
Indianapolis, IN
1 pm
Ball State University
2-0,0-0MAC
81
at
72
IU Indy
1-2,0-0Horizon
1
2
3
4
F
Ball St.
21
13
23
24
81
IU Indy
13
18
17
24
72
Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
Salenbien & Towers Earn Career Highs in I-69 Rivalry Game as BSU Topples IU Indy, 81-72
November 09, 2025 | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (2-0) pulled off the 81-72 interstate rivalry victory Sunday afternoon over IU Indy (1-2) in the last year of the Jungle.
Bree Salenbien and Tessa Towers each turned in a career high 20-point performance. Salenbien also shined with a personal best 12 rebounds as did Towers who pulled down 10 for their first career double-doubles. Karsyn Norman finished the day with 13 points while Grace Kingery rounded out the double digit scoring with 11.
For the game, Ball State out rebounded IU Indy 49-33. The Cardinals were also successful in the paint outscoring the Jaguars 40-24.
After one game under their belt, the Cardinals seemed more comfortable with their ball movement in the first quarter of play against the Jaguars. Norman scored the opening basket to get BSU off on the right foot. Ball State continued to control the tempo of the ball game on both offense and defense which allowed BSU to eventually take a 21-13 edge over IU Indy after the first quarter.
It was a lot of back-and-forth in the second period as the contest continued to be a defensive battle between the interstate rivals. Fortunately, the Cardinals were always one step ahead of the Jaguars eventually building a strong 14-point lead (31-17) at the 5:32 mark. The tables were then turned as the Jaguars closed out the first half with a 14-3 run to cut BSU's cushion to 34-31 at the break.
After intermission, IU Indy opened with back-to-back baskets to take its first lead of the game, 36-34, but Ashlynn Brooke quickly answered with a 3-pointer to keep the Cardinals atop of the Jaguars. Both squads continued to trade baskets. The up-and-down affair caused unforeseen turnovers and forced shots that kept the contest close. A BSU spark came with 1:37 left in the third after back-to-back baskets from Salenbien making the score 52-47. BSU was able to increase its lead to 57-48 as both teams headed into the final frame.
Ball State held on tight to a 68-62 lead at the media timeout in the fourth quarter of play. It wasn't easy but it was a gritty win, as Norman downed a 3-pointer to give Ball State enough of a cushion 75-69 with just a minute remaining. Ball State was able to make its free throws down the stretch to claim the victory.
The Ball State women's basketball team returns to Worthen Arena Wednesday for its home opener against Northern Kentucky at 6:30 pm ET.
Bree Salenbien and Tessa Towers each turned in a career high 20-point performance. Salenbien also shined with a personal best 12 rebounds as did Towers who pulled down 10 for their first career double-doubles. Karsyn Norman finished the day with 13 points while Grace Kingery rounded out the double digit scoring with 11.
For the game, Ball State out rebounded IU Indy 49-33. The Cardinals were also successful in the paint outscoring the Jaguars 40-24.
After one game under their belt, the Cardinals seemed more comfortable with their ball movement in the first quarter of play against the Jaguars. Norman scored the opening basket to get BSU off on the right foot. Ball State continued to control the tempo of the ball game on both offense and defense which allowed BSU to eventually take a 21-13 edge over IU Indy after the first quarter.
It was a lot of back-and-forth in the second period as the contest continued to be a defensive battle between the interstate rivals. Fortunately, the Cardinals were always one step ahead of the Jaguars eventually building a strong 14-point lead (31-17) at the 5:32 mark. The tables were then turned as the Jaguars closed out the first half with a 14-3 run to cut BSU's cushion to 34-31 at the break.
After intermission, IU Indy opened with back-to-back baskets to take its first lead of the game, 36-34, but Ashlynn Brooke quickly answered with a 3-pointer to keep the Cardinals atop of the Jaguars. Both squads continued to trade baskets. The up-and-down affair caused unforeseen turnovers and forced shots that kept the contest close. A BSU spark came with 1:37 left in the third after back-to-back baskets from Salenbien making the score 52-47. BSU was able to increase its lead to 57-48 as both teams headed into the final frame.
Ball State held on tight to a 68-62 lead at the media timeout in the fourth quarter of play. It wasn't easy but it was a gritty win, as Norman downed a 3-pointer to give Ball State enough of a cushion 75-69 with just a minute remaining. Ball State was able to make its free throws down the stretch to claim the victory.
The Ball State women's basketball team returns to Worthen Arena Wednesday for its home opener against Northern Kentucky at 6:30 pm ET.
Team Stats
BSU
IUIndy
FG%
.418
.367
3FG%
.222
.321
FT%
.826
.633
RB
49
33
TO
18
15
STL
3
11
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Basketball
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