Ball State University
20-6,12-1MAC
University of Toledo
19-5,10-3MAC
Richard Scores Career High 33 Points in Heartbreaker Road Loss at Toledo
February 19, 2025 | Women's Basketball
Alex Richard also became the 36th member of the program’s 1,000th point club
TOLEDO, Ohio - Senior Alex Richard scored a career high 33 points while also becoming a member of the program's 1,000th point club but it was not enough as Ball State fell to the Rockets 70-66 in the final minutes to Toledo Wednesday night in Savage Arena.
The Cardinals (20-6, 12-1 MAC) displayed a well-rounded performance tonight but in the end the Rockets (19-5, 10-3 MAC) used their home court advantage to win the ball game. Despite the loss, Ball State remains atop of the MAC standings.
With six games left in the regular season, it comes to no surprise that tonight's contest would be a tight one between the two rivals. Ball State jumped out to a quick 9-2 edge in the opening six minutes with Alex Richard scoring seven of those points. The Rockets answered with a 12-6 scoring spree to finish out the first quarter of play, but the Cardinals would still lead by one, 15-14.
Both teams traded baskets in the second frame with the game tied on four separate occasions. Ball State led by as many as four, 26-22, after a made jumper by Ally Becki with just under five minutes to play in the first half. Toledo continued to stay close, but the Cardinals once again were able to take a two-point (30-28) advantage at intermission.
Toledo came out of the gates strong in the third stanza building a nine-point (43-34) advantage over Ball State by the five-minute mark. The Cardinals struggled offensively for the majority of the third stanza. Finally, Madelyn Bischoff knocked down a 3-pointer to stop the Rockets' momentum as both squads headed into the media timeout. The Cardinals continued to play catch up with the Rockets over the course of the third period. Back-to-back layups from Maliyah "MJ" Johnson and Lachelle Austin with two minutes remaining allowed the Cardinals to knot the score 48-48 as both squads headed into the final 10 minutes of action.
After that, the Rockets were on a mission in the fourth, never losing their lead. The Cardinals kept up the pace though, and it was a nail biter until the very end. Both Becki and Richard made baskets as the clock was winding down to bring BSU within two. The Cardinals were forced to foul the Rockets in their last-second efforts to win the ball game, but Toledo would go 4-of-4 from the line to pull off the upset.
For the game, Richard led all players with her personal best 33 points after shooting 15-23 from the field. Both Austin and Bischoff ended the game with 10 points apiece. Defensively, Becki pulled down eight rebounds while also dishing out eight assists.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues league action on Saturday when it hosts Kent State on ESPNU. The game is slated to begin at noon.
