Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Central Michigan University
Women's Basketball Looks to Get Back on the Winning Track Wednesday at CMU
January 27, 2026 | Women's Basketball
| Ball State at Central Michigan | #MACtion | |
| Game 20 vs. Miami | Wednesday, Jan. 28,, 2026 |
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| Game Notes and Media Info | Ball State | Central Michigan |
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It's #MACtion Time:
- Wednesday's game against Central Michigan will mark the 92nd time the teams have met, with the Cardinals leading the all-time series record 46-45. The Cardinals have won nine of their last 10 meetings against the Chippewas including a 60-58 overtime victory in their last meeting in Mount Pleasant on February 26, 2025.
- Ball State is looking to get back on the winning track after falling to rival Miami Saturday in Worthen Arena by a score of 72-52. The Cardinals were led offensively by Bree Salenbien who had 18 points. She also was at the top of the rebounding charts that game with nine.
- It may be cold outside but the Cardinals tend to get hot in the month of January under 14th-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee owns an overall record of 82-30 (.728) in the month of January dating back to his first season in 2012-13.
- With only one game left in the month of January the Cardinals typically carry on their success throughout the month of February in preparation for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Under head coach Brady Sallee the Cardinals own a 59-39 (.602) record in February with his best season being in 2019-20 as Ball State posted a 7-1 ledger that year.
Strong Shooting Under Sallee:
Brady Sallee is known for developing his players into strong shooters,over the years. In the last two seasons the Cardinals have ranked in the top 75 nationally in offense. In 2023-24 the Cardinals were 53rd in offense averaging 72.7 points per game while in 2024-25 Ball State finished the year ranked 72nd averaging 72.5 points per game. This season the Cardinals rank in the nation: 33rd in field goal percentage (45.8), 45th in field goal defense (36.9) and 58th in scoring margin (13.0).
Road Warriors:
Under head coach Brady Sallee the Cardinals have played well on the road for the last 14 years under his watch. The Cardinals are 118-77 (.598) from 2012 until present on the road. Ball State's best season playing away from home was in 2020-21 when the Cardinals posted an 11-2 mark. Ball State is 8-3 this season on the road including neutral site games.
International Success:
The Cardinals have had plenty of international success under 14th year head coach Brady Sallee. We all remember Nathalie Fontaine the 6-2 guard from Stockholm, Sweden became Ball State's all-time leading scorer with 2,166 points. The 2016 MAC Player of the Year and AP honorable mention averaged 21.0 points per game and 10.2 rebounds while making over 50 percent of her shots. After Fontaine was Carmen Grande a native from Madrid, Spain who held onto the all-time assists record with 697 until Ally Becki surpassed her last season with 721 and we also cannot forget Thelma Dis Agustsdottir from Keflavik, Iceland who holds the all-time 3-point record with 325 treys. Agustsdottir also competed at the Celsius 3-point championship at the NCAA Tournament.
Scouting Central Michigan:
- Madi Morson is the primary scoring threat for the Chippewas this season, averaging over 18 points per game while Taylor Anderson is the team's leading rebounder and also leads in assists per game. Ayanna-Sarai Darrington is a dominant force in the paint, leading in offensive rebounds and maintaining an impressive field goal percentage of over 57%.
- Central Michigan has held opponents to a 26.7 percent success rate from beyond the arc this season, currently 25th in NCAA I.
- Central Michigan has been a rebounding powerhouse under Head Coach Kristin Haynie. Through 18 games this season, the Chippewas rank second in the MAC in rebounding margin (+9.2, 22nd in NCAA) and rebounds per game (41.61, 36th in NCAA). CMU has out-rebounded its opponents 13 times this season (11-2 in those games) and 58 times in 77 games in Haynie's tenure.
Ball State Win Streak over the Chippewas:
The Cardinals have won seven straight in the matchup, the third-longest streak of either program in the series. CMU won 12 straight from 1983-88, Ball State won 11 in a row from 2000-06.
