Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
University at Buffalo
Women's Basketball Takes First-Place Momentum to Buffalo for #MACtion Showcase
February 17, 2026 | Women's Basketball
| Ball State at Buffalo | #MACtion | |
| Game 27 at Buffalo | Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 | Buffalo, N.Y. | Alumni Arena |
| Gameday Info | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Radio |
| Game Notes and Media Info | Ball State | Buffalo |
| Social Media | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook |
It's #MACtion Time:
- Wednesday's game against Buffalo will mark the 42nd time in program history the two schools have met, with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 25-16. Ball State and Buffalo's first-ever meeting was on Jan. 30 at Buffalo in 1998-99.
- The Ball State women's basketball team showcased unmatched offensive firepower and defensive intensity in their first meeting this year with Buffalo, securing a commanding 103-61 victory at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals'
defense stifled the Bulls, forcing 24 turnovers and holding them to 39% shooting from the floor.
- 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 65-39 (.605) record in February with his best season being in 2019-20 as Ball State posted a 7-1 ledger that year.
- The Cardinals officially clinched its spot in the 2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament with a commanding 83–68 victory over EMU last Tuesday. The win also secured head coach Brady Sallee's ninth 20-win season in program history. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive year the Cardinals have reached at least 20 victories, a stretch that includes a program-record 28 wins during the 2023–24 season.
MAC Tournament Facts:
The Cardinals continue to be a staple of March Madness in the MAC, securing their 36th program appearance in the conference tournament. Ball State's dominance is especially clear over the last quarter-century, having advanced to Cleveland for 24 of the past 26 seasons. With an all-time tournament record of 27–33, the team has fought their way to seven championship games, ultimately crowning their efforts with titles in 2009 and 2025. Under head coach Brady Sallee, the Ball State women's basketball team has made it to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament 11 times, including reaching the championship game in 2014, 2022, and 2025. The 2025 championship was a historic milestone, marking Sallee's first conference tournament title in 21 years of head coaching and the program's first since 2009.
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: 18th in field goal percentage (46.7), 51st in field goal defense (37.1) and 24th in scoring offense (79.0).
Where We Rank in the MAC:
Ball State remains at the top of the charts in assists per game (19.2),assist/turnover ratio (1.13), field goal percentage (46.7), field goal percentage defense (37.1), defensive rebounds per game (30.4), rebounds per game (43.58), scoring offense (79.0) and winning percentage (80.8).
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 121-77 (.599) 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 11-3 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.
Bree Salenbien Earns MAC Player of the Week Honors For Third Time This Season:
Salenbien turned in a star-studded week for the Cardinals which was highlighted by a historic performance on Saturday, February 14, after she exploded for a career-high 32 points in an 82–67 victory over Bowling Green. This scoring outburst tied her for the eighth-highest single-game total in program history. Salenbien was efficient across the board, shooting 11-of-18 from the field and adding 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in the win. Earlier in the week, Salenbien set the tone on the road against Eastern Michigan, tying for a team-high 22 points while contributing 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in an 83–68 win. Over the two-game span, she averaged 27 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks while shooting 54 percent from the field and 76 percent from the charity stripe, propelling Ball State to its sixth consecutive victory and also a first-place standing in the MAC with a 12–1 league record.
Scouting Buffalo:
- The Bulls are second in the MAC and rank 40th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (14.4). UB has started four freshmen in six straight games and has started three rookies 12 times. They are one of two teams in the MAC to have a rookie leading the squad in minutes played.
- Head coach Kristen Sharkey is in her first year at the helm of the Bulls after a standout playing career at UB, followed by seven seasons on staff where she helped lead the Bulls to three MAC championship titles and a Sweet 16 appearance.
- Brady Sallee owns a 14-8 record against the Bulls dating back to his first season at BSU.
- Ball State has won six-straight over the Bulls dating back to 2022-23.
- Aniya Rowe is the lone Bull who is averaging double-figure points as she scores 13.2 points per contest. Defensively, Meg Lucas brings down 9.9 rebounds a game.
What's Next:
The Cardinals head to Oxford, Ohio, this Saturday for a high-stakes rematch against their "Red Bird" rivals, the Miami RedHawks (20–5). This matchup carries major Mid-American Conference (MAC) implications after Miami snapped Ball State's long-standing home dominance earlier this season. The game is slated to begin at 1 pm ET in Millette Hall.
