Ball State University
19-5,11-0MAC
James Madison University (MAC-SBC Challenge)
21-4,12-0Sun Belt
WBB Falls at JMU in Final Seconds of MAC-SBC Challenge Game
February 08, 2025 | Women's Basketball
HARRISONBURG, Va. - In a game that came down to the fourth quarter, the Cardinals' second half comeback was cut short as they lost to James Madison in the final seconds.
Despite a strong second half performance, Ball State suffered a 78-75 defeat to James Madison Saturday afternoon at Atlantic Union Bank Center. The Cardinals (19-5) outscored the Dukes (21-4) 36-34 in the second half, but a BSU turnover and some late free throws with seconds remaining propelled James Madison to victory.
For the game, Alex Richard led the Cardinals with 22 points and was one shy of another double-double with nine rebounds. Madelyn Bischoff tallied 14 points and is now the 35th member of the program's 1,000-point club. Ally Becki finished the day with 12 points while Marie Kiefer had 11. Lachelle Austin rounded out the five-member double figure scoring as she registered 10 points.
Both teams opened with strong defense and intensity underneath the basket. Becki and Kiefer both picked up quick fouls in the opening quarter which hindered the Cardinals. A jumper by Kiefer gave BSU the 5-4 lead at the 7:32 mark. After that, James Madison outpaced Ball State 19-9 to take the 23-14 advantage to end the first quarter.
Richard opened the second frame with back-to-back baskets to bring BSU within five (23-18). James Madison answered quickly with a 7-0 run building its lead back up by 12 (30-18) with three minutes shaved off the clock.
The Cardinals continued to fight with back-to-back baskets from Kiefer and Maliyah "MJ" Johnson which closed the gap to five (39-34) just under the two minute mark. Ball State was able to head into intermission trailing by only six (38-32) to JMU.
After the break, Ball State continued to be plagued by foul trouble with both Becki and Kiefer picking up their third fouls. The Cardinals never gave up though, as Becki nailed a 3-pointer to knot the game 50-50 prior to the media timeout. Both squads continued to fight for their respective possessions which kept the game still within reach for BSU. Becki's fast break layup tied the contest 59-59 with only seconds left in the third. But JMU's Zakiya Stephenson's long-range bucket at the buzzer gave the Dukes the upper hand as both teams headed into the final 10 minutes of action.
It was a back-and-forth affair in the fourth period. Bischoff drained a 3-pointer at the 2:16 mark for her 1,000th point to put Ball State up by three (74-71). But unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Dukes were already in the bonus and was sent to the free throw line, which ultimately led to the James Madison win today.
The Ball State women's basketball team will have a bye week before returning to Mid-American Conference action at Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 15. The game is slated for a 1 pm ET tipoff in Ypsilanti.
