Ball State Women’s Basketball Advances to Semifinals with Dominant Victory
CLEVELAND, Ohio – A Strong Showing by the Cardinals
In an impressive display of teamwork, the top-seeded Ball State women’s basketball team (25-7) cruised to an 82-53 victory over No. 8 Western Michigan (12-18) on Wednesday afternoon at Rocket Arena. This win secures their spot in the 2025 Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals for the fourth consecutive year.
Key Players Shine
Leading the charge for the Cardinals was Alex Richard, the current MAC Player of the Week and a Second Team All-MAC honoree, who scored 17 points with an efficient 8-of-12 shooting performance. Ally Becki, the MAC Player of the Year, contributed significantly by adding 14 points and eight assists. Also notable was Madelyn Bischoff, who matched Becki’s score of 14 points. Meanwhile, Marie Keifer, recognized as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year, recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
First Half Highlights
The initial moments of the game were marked by tension as both teams struggled with missed shots and turnovers. However, Richard found her rhythm early, scoring Ball State’s first points at the top of the key on their third possession. Shortly afterward, Bischoff hit two consecutive 3-pointers, helping the Cardinals dominate the first quarter with an impressive shooting percentage of 65%, ending the period with a 25-15 lead.
As the second quarter began, Ball State faced a temporary struggle, scoring only six points by the time of the media timeout at 3:13. Nevertheless, Western Michigan faced similar difficulties in finding their offensive groove. Key rebounds from Ball State and a last-second 3-pointer by Lachelle Austin allowed the Cardinals to secure an 18-point halftime lead at 38-20.
Second Half Surge
Upon returning from the break, Western Michigan made a strong push, outscoring Ball State 13-9 early in the third quarter to narrow the gap to 47-33. The Cardinals, however, quickly regrouped, finishing the third quarter on a 17-7 run, extending their lead to a comfortable 24 points (64-40) as they headed into the final quarter.
Maintaining Control to the Finish
Despite a valiant effort from the Broncos in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals maintained their composure and control, concluding the game with a solid 82-53 victory. For the match, Ball State showcased a balanced offense, shooting 53% from the field and accumulating 38 points in the paint, complemented by 19 second-chance points.
Looking Ahead
The Ball State women’s basketball team continues its quest for a Mid-American Conference Tournament title, set to face either the fourth-seeded Kent State Golden Flashes or the fifth-seeded Miami RedHawks in the semifinals this Friday at 10 am ET.
