Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
8-4,0-0MAC
South Dakota State University
10-2,0-0Summit League
Women’s Basketball Falls on the Road to South Dakota State
December 14, 2025 | Women's Basketball
BROOKINGS, SD - The Ball State women's basketball team (8-4) closed out non-conference play with a 78-59 road loss to South Dakota State (10-2) Sunday afternoon at the First Bank & Trust Arena.
After another long day of travel prior to today's contest, the Cardinals started the game off with a 4-0 run after back-to-back baskets from Tessa Towers. After that, it was an up-and-down affair that lasted throughout the opening 10 minutes of play which led to a 13-13 tie at just under the four-minute mark. South Dakota State closed the first quarter of play with a 6-0 run to take a slim 19-13 lead over Ball State to end the frame.
The Cardinals continued to play catchup with the Jack Rabbits in the second period trailing by as many as 10 (27-17) with 5:38 left in the first half. Bree Salenbien was sent to the line to bring the score back within single digits. The Cardinals came to within five (31-26) after a 3-pointer from Karsyn Norman with 2:04 on the clock. South Dakota State went back up by eight (36-28) by intermission.
Despite their efforts, the Cardinals were met with more offensive struggles after the break. Ball State was able to end the third frame on a defensive high note, holding the Jack Rabbits scoreless for over last two minutes of the third quarter, but South Dakota had already built a 15-point cushion (54-40) prior to the Cardinals' defensive stop.
Alba Caballero opened the final stanza with a made layup to bring BSU within 12 (54-42) but South Dakota State wasn't going to back down as the Jack Rabbits continued to make their shots. The Cardinals came within 12 one more time at the midway point after a made layup from Tagayi but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback.
Towers led the Cardinals offensively with 17 points while Salenbien ended with 12 points and eight rebounds. As a team, Ball State remained strong on the boards out-rebounding the Jack Rabbits, 35-29.
The Ball State women's basketball team will open Mid-American Conference action Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 am ET when it hosts Eastern Michigan. The contest is part of a double-header with the Ball State men's basketball team who will host league rival Miami at 2 pm ET in Worthen Arena.
