Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
#6 Toledo (MAC Tournament Semifinals)
WBB Continues Quest for Back-to-Back MAC Tourney Title Friday as Cardinals Face Rockets in Semi's
March 12, 2026 | Women's Basketball
No. 2 Ball State will play No. 6 Toledo at approximately 12:15 pm ET
| No. 2 Ball State vs. No. 6 Toledo | MAC Tourney Semifinal Round | |
| Game 33 vs. Toledo MAC Tourney Semifinals | Friday, March 13, 2026 | Cleveland, Ohio | Rocket Arena |
| Gameday Info | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Listen | Tickets | Bracket | Rocket Arena | MAC Tournament Central |
| Game Notes and Media Info | Ball State | Toledo |
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MAC Tournament Time:
- The No. 2 seed Ball State women's basketball team is set to face the No. 6 seed Toledo Rockets in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament this Friday, March 13, 2026, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The Cardinals advanced after a 75–63 quarterfinal victory over Bowling Green, powered by a career-high 25 points from sophomore guard Grace Kingery. They now meet a Toledo squad that pulled off a 67–56 upset over No. 3 seed UMass to reach its fifth consecutive semifinal. While Toledo leads the all-time series 63–35, Ball State has won the last two meetings, including a regular-season sweep this year and a victory in the 2025 MAC Championship game. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 12:15 p.m. ET, or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first semifinal between Miami (OH) and Ohio.
- With the win against Toledo on March 7, the Cardinals claimed a share of the 2026 Mid-American Conference regular season title for the second-straight season. It marks the first time in program history Ball State has won back-to-back regular season crowns. Ball State will enter this week's MAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed in Cleveland. The last time the Cardinals entered tourney play as the No. 2 seed was in 2024.
- 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.
- Ball State head coach Brady Sallee owns a 12-11 overall Mid-American Conference Tournament mark. The last time the Cardinals reached the final game was in 2025 when Ball State defeated Toledo, 65-58.
- Ball State owns a 7-2 record in the 2025 MAC Tournament bracket. The two losses for the Cardinals game against top-seeded Miami (OH).
- Key Factors to a BSU win: The Cardinals will have to continue to rebound the basketball well and limit Toledo from making second chance points and limit the Rockets from making any late game runs. Ball State will need to continue to rely on its interior play as Tessa Towers and Bree Salenbien have been consistent double-double threats against the Rockets.
- A victory would propel the Ball State Cardinals back into the MAC Championship game for a potential matchup against either the top-seeded Miami RedHawks or the No. 5 seed Ohio Bobcats. Notably, the Cardinals have never faced either opponent in a conference title game. This would be their first postseason meeting since March 13, 2009, when Ball State dominated Miami 76-51 in the quarterfinal round. BSU and Ohio last met in the 2024 MAC Tournament, where the Cardinals secured a 77-53 victory during the quarterfinals.
Scouting Toledo:
- Patricia Anumgba (Sr., G): The engine of the Rockets' late-season push. She scored 24 points (22 in the second half) in the March 7 meeting against Ball State. She is also a primary defensive disruptor, ranking 10th in the MAC with 1.8 steals per game.
- Ella Weaver (Jr., G): A recent breakout performer who tied a career-high with 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the regular-season finale against the Cardinals.
- The Toledo Rockets women's basketball team is in its second season under head coach Ginny Boggess. The program is currently undergoing a transitional phase, integrating seven newcomers into a roster that aims to maintain its status as a Mid-American Conference (MAC) contender.
- Toledo ranks 3rd in the MAC in scoring defense (63.3 PPG). They excel at defending the perimeter, holding conference opponents to just 29.7% from three.
- This is a rematch of the 2025 MAC Championship game, where Ball State defeated Toledo 65-58 to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.
- The Toledo Rockets lead the all-time women's basketball series against the Ball State Cardinals with a record of 63–36 as of March 2026. Ball State has won three consecutive games against the Rockets.
