Ball State Women’s Basketball Suffers Narrow Defeat to UIC
MUNCIE, Ind. — In a tightly contested defensive showdown, the Ball State women’s basketball team (5-1) was edged out by the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames (3-3), concluding with a score of 66-64 on Monday night at Worthen Arena.
Game Overview
The game showcased a fierce battle, particularly on defense, with the Cardinals striving to maintain their strong season start. Tessa Towers emerged as a standout player, recording her fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, Grace Kingery contributed significantly, scoring 13 points to support the team’s effort.
Quarter Highlights
First Quarter
The match commenced with a challenging start for Ball State, as UIC quickly established a 13-6 lead by the time of the media timeout. However, the Cardinals rallied towards the end of the first quarter, closing with a 6-0 run to trim UIC’s lead to just one point, ending the quarter at 13-12.
Second Quarter
Ball State took its first lead of the game early in the second quarter, thanks to a 3-pointer by Ashlynn Brooke, making the score 15-13. The remaining minutes of the half featured a back-and-forth exchange, with UIC managing to hold a slim advantage, leading by five points at one point. Nevertheless, the Cardinals concluded the half strong, with Zhen Verburgt hitting a jumper at the buzzer to tie the game at 30-30.
Second Half
As the third quarter unfolded, the momentum continually shifted between the teams. Ball State managed to carve out an eight-point lead at 48-40, driven by impactful plays from Kingery, Giorgia Gorini, and Verburgt. By the end of the third quarter, the Cardinals held a 49-44 advantage heading into the final frame.
Final Quarter
The fourth quarter saw UIC reclaim the lead at 51-49 with 7:24 remaining. The teams traded baskets through the final minutes, with the contest tied multiple times. Ball State briefly held a one-point lead at 64-63 following a layup by Towers. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, UIC snatched back the lead with a layup in the final seconds. Ball State struggled to convert on their offensive chances, leading to their first loss of the season as time ran out.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, the Ball State women’s basketball team will head to the Florida Gulf Coast Women’s Basketball Tournament over the Thanksgiving break. The Cardinals are slated to face off against Pitt on Friday and Alabama A&M on Saturday, both at 1:15 PM ET at the Community School of Naples.
Conclusion
Despite the setback, the team’s performance showcased their resilience and competitive spirit, setting the stage for future matchups as the season continues.
