Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
Richard’s Second-Half Performance Leads WBB Past WMU
February 01, 2025 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals remain undefeated in #MACtion 10-0
MUNCIE, Ind. - Senior Alex Richard scored 19 of her 23-points in the second half alone to help move the Cardinals past the Broncos Saturday afternoon in Worthen Arena.
Ball State extended its win streak to 12, while remaining undefeated in Mid-American Conference action with their 61-51 defeat over Western Michigan.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 18-4 on the season and 10-0 in league action while the Broncos dropped to 8-12 on the year and 5-5 in MAC play.
Richard led all players with 23 points and nine rebounds while Ally Becki wrapped up the day with a 17-point performance. Rounding out the double figure scoring was Lachelle Austin with 13. Richard also pulled down her 500th career rebound in the second half of play.
Typically, when Ball State and Western Michigan meet it tends to be a tightly contested first quarter of play. The Broncos opened the contest with an 8-3 run that saw the Cardinals struggling to get their shots to fall while also committing some unforeseen turnovers. A Becki bucket followed by a Richard layup kept the score close with WMU having a 2-point (10-8) edge to end the first quarter of play.
The defensive battle continued, and the Cardinals would struggle inside the paint, having to rely on their long range shot. By the 4:39 mark of the second quarter the game was knotted 17-17. The remainder of the half was an up-and-down affair which saw Ball State take a slight 23-20 edge over Western Michigan at intermission.
After the break, Ball Stat opened the third frame with a 14-0 run to give the Cardinals an impressive 17-point cushion (37-20). Richard took over in the third frame scoring 10 of the 14 points during BSU's run.
The Cardinals half court press was too much for the Broncos to overcome as WMU first field goal came at the 3:41 mark. Ball State's strong second half start led to its 45-34 cushion as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of play.
Western Michigan wasn't going to go away lightly in the fourth frame, cutting Ball State's once 17-point lead to eight (45-37) with less than a minute shaved off the clock. WMU kept within reach, but BSU would answer with either a basket or a strong defensive play which ultimately led to the Cardinals securing today's victory.
Prior to the contest, the Cardinals presented former women's basketball player Annie Rauch with her 1,000th career point ball. Rauch had achieved the goal in BSU's last regular season game in 2024.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues Mid-American Conference action at home Wednesday when the Cardinals host the Bowling Green falcons at 6:30 pm ET in Worthen Arena.
Ball State extended its win streak to 12, while remaining undefeated in Mid-American Conference action with their 61-51 defeat over Western Michigan.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 18-4 on the season and 10-0 in league action while the Broncos dropped to 8-12 on the year and 5-5 in MAC play.
Richard led all players with 23 points and nine rebounds while Ally Becki wrapped up the day with a 17-point performance. Rounding out the double figure scoring was Lachelle Austin with 13. Richard also pulled down her 500th career rebound in the second half of play.
Typically, when Ball State and Western Michigan meet it tends to be a tightly contested first quarter of play. The Broncos opened the contest with an 8-3 run that saw the Cardinals struggling to get their shots to fall while also committing some unforeseen turnovers. A Becki bucket followed by a Richard layup kept the score close with WMU having a 2-point (10-8) edge to end the first quarter of play.
The defensive battle continued, and the Cardinals would struggle inside the paint, having to rely on their long range shot. By the 4:39 mark of the second quarter the game was knotted 17-17. The remainder of the half was an up-and-down affair which saw Ball State take a slight 23-20 edge over Western Michigan at intermission.
After the break, Ball Stat opened the third frame with a 14-0 run to give the Cardinals an impressive 17-point cushion (37-20). Richard took over in the third frame scoring 10 of the 14 points during BSU's run.
The Cardinals half court press was too much for the Broncos to overcome as WMU first field goal came at the 3:41 mark. Ball State's strong second half start led to its 45-34 cushion as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of play.
Western Michigan wasn't going to go away lightly in the fourth frame, cutting Ball State's once 17-point lead to eight (45-37) with less than a minute shaved off the clock. WMU kept within reach, but BSU would answer with either a basket or a strong defensive play which ultimately led to the Cardinals securing today's victory.
Prior to the contest, the Cardinals presented former women's basketball player Annie Rauch with her 1,000th career point ball. Rauch had achieved the goal in BSU's last regular season game in 2024.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues Mid-American Conference action at home Wednesday when the Cardinals host the Bowling Green falcons at 6:30 pm ET in Worthen Arena.
Team Stats
WMU
BSU
FG%
.383
.365
3FG%
.435
.190
FT%
.833
.864
RB
33
30
TO
20
9
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
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