Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Ohio University
Women's Basketball Celebrates Senior Day in Final Home Showdown Against Ohio Saturday
February 27, 2026 | Women's Basketball
| Ball State vs. Ohio | Senior Day | #MACtion | |
| Game 29 vs. Ohio | Saturday, Feb. 27, 2026 | Muncie, Ind.| Worthen Arena |
| Gameday Info | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Listen | Tickets |
| Game Notes and Media Info | Ball State | Ohio |
| Social Media | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook |
It's #MACtion Time:
-Ohio travels to Muncie after a hard-fought 60-56 overtime loss to Bowling Green on Wednesday. Despite the loss, the Bobcats have already clinched a spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament in Cleveland. They are led by junior Bailey Tabeling, who recently recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds.
- The all-time series between Ball State and Ohio is historically tight, with Ohio holding a narrow 39–36 edge as of the 2024–25 season. However, Ball State has dominated the most recent chapter of this rivalry, entering the 2025–26 season on an eight-game winning streak against the Bobcats. Saturday's game against Ohio will mark the 76th time in program history the two schools have met.
- The Cardinals and the Bobcats first-ever meeting was on Jan. 31, 1976 with Ball State earning the victory by a score of 72-59. Ball State won its last encounter against Ohio by an 82-57 decision on March 8, 2025 in Muncie.
- 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 67-40 (.606) 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.
Stong 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: 22nd in field goal percentage (46.3), 30th in field goal defense (36.9) and 23rd in scoring offense (79.1).
Where We Rank in the MAC:
Ball State remains at the top of the charts in assists per game (19.4),assist/turnover ratio (1.14), field goal percentage (46.3), field goal percentage defense (36.9), defensive rebounds per game (30.7), rebounds per game (44.07) and scoring offense (79.1).
Scouting Ohio:
- The Ohio Bobcats women's basketball team is currently competing in the 2025-26 season under Head Coach Bob Boldon, who is in his 13th season with the program. After a challenging 2024-25 season (6-23 record), the Bobcats have shown significant improvement this year, sitting at 15-10 overall (9-5 MAC) as of late February 2026.
- While the team previously struggled with turnovers (averaging 18 per game last season), there has been a concerted effort to improve ball handling and decision-making in 2025-26.
- The Bobcats remain one of the most aggressive teams from deep in the MAC. Coach Boldon's system prioritizes spacing and movement without the ball to create open looks.
- Bailey Tabeling leads the Bobcats offensively averaging 14.0 points per game while Bella Ranallo scores 11.2 points per contest.
- If the tournament were to start today, the Ohio Bobcats would be the No. 5 seed and would face No. 4 Central Michigan in Game 2 of the quarterfinals in Cleveland.
It's Almost Tournament Time:
- Ball State head coach Brady Sallee owns a 11-11 overall Mid-American Conference Tournament mark.
- In the 35 years of the tournament, the top seed has won the title 23 times. In 2016, the Buffalo Bulls became the lowest seed (#8) to ever advance to the tournament championship game and the highest seed to ever win the title. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have met 17 times in the championship game, with the top seed winning 15 times.
- The last time Ball State was the No. 2 seed in the MAC Tournament was in 2024. That year the Cardinals defeated the seventh-seeded Ohio Bobcats by a score of 77-53 before falling to No. 3 Kent State in the semifinals, 65-50.
