Sunday’s Women’s Basketball Results
Ball State 81, IU Indy 72
Central Michigan 71, Davenport 44
Duquesne 72, Western Michigan 64
Columbia 92, Ohio 74
Gonzaga 72, Toledo 69
No. 23 Michigan State 92, Eastern Michigan 60
No. 24 Kentucky 81, Buffalo 47
Stories Courtesy of MAC Athletic Communications Departments
Ball State 81, IU Indy 72
Box Score
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (2-0) pulled off the 81-72 interstate rivalry victory Sunday afternoon over IU Indy (1-2) in the last year of the Jungle.
Bree Salenbien and Tessa Towers each turned in a career high 20-point performance. Salenbien also shined with a personal best 12 rebounds as did Towers who pulled down 10 for their first career double-doubles. Karsyn Norman finished the day with 13 points while Grace Kingery rounded out the double digit scoring with 11.
For the game, Ball State out rebounded IU Indy 49-33. The Cardinals were also successful in the paint outscoring the Jaguars 40-24.
After one game under their belt, the Cardinals seemed more comfortable with their ball movement in the first quarter of play against the Jaguars. Norman scored the opening basket to get BSU off on the right foot. Ball State continued to control the tempo of the ball game on both offense and defense which allowed BSU to eventually take a 21-13 edge over IU Indy after the first quarter.
It was a lot of back-and-forth in the second period as the contest continued to be a defensive battle between the interstate rivals. Fortunately, the Cardinals were always one step ahead of the Jaguars eventually building a strong 14-point lead (31-17) at the 5:32 mark. The tables were then turned as the Jaguars closed out the first half with a 14-3 run to cut BSU's cushion to 34-31 at the break.
After intermission, IU Indy opened with back-to-back baskets to take its first lead of the game, 36-34, but Ashlynn Brooke quickly answered with a 3-pointer to keep the Cardinals atop of the Jaguars. Both squads continued to trade baskets. The up-and-down affair caused unforeseen turnovers and forced shots that kept the contest close. A BSU spark came with 1:37 left in the third after back-to-back baskets from Salenbien making the score 52-47. BSU was able to increase its lead to 57-48 as both teams headed into the final frame.
Ball State held on tight to a 68-62 lead at the media timeout in the fourth quarter of play. It wasn't easy but it was a gritty win, as Norman downed a 3-pointer to give Ball State enough of a cushion 75-69 with just a minute remaining. Ball State was able to make its free throws down the stretch to claim the victory.
Central Michigan 71, Davenport 44
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Women's Basketball opened its home slate victorious on Sunday against Davenport with a runaway second half to a 71-44 result.
The Chippewas put up a 40-19 second-half tally after just a 31-25 halftime lead over the Panthers. Ayanna-Sarai Darrington (Lexington, Ky. / Frederick Douglass) posted nine of her 15 points, seven of her 11 rebounds in the second half.
"We came out with a little more fire in the second half and got defensive stops," Head Coach Kristin Haynie said. "We just have to come out with that fire in the first half."
Darrington was one of three for Central Michigan in double figures for points, joined by Riley Smith (Miamisburg, Ohio / Archbishop Alter) with a career-high-tying 13 points and Madi Morson (Canton, Mich. / Salem) with 10.
Smith was the catalyst for the Chippewas' takeover in the first half. She collected all of a 7-0 run to end the first quarter, ended with 10 of a 21-4 CMU run to push out to a 27-15 lead midway through the second frame.
"She's been out the past couple weeks, so for her to have that confidence was great to see. Did a really good job of not just shooting the ball but moving without the ball, being scrappy, making things happen. Super happy for her."
The sophomore finished three-of-five from beyond the arc, five-of-eight from the field.
Freshman point guard Rylan Buschell (Belleville, Mich. / Belleville) excelled in her role Sunday with eight points, four steals, three rebounds, a pair of assists and five fouls drawn without a turnover—all as she paced the floor for a game-high 32 minutes.
"She did a good job of controlling the tempo and she took care of the ball. Having two assists and zero turnovers while having the ball in your hands the majority of the time was super positive to see."
Ball movement took a step forward overall. Four Chippewas shared the team lead with three assists apiece, two more with a pair each.
"We did a better job of sharing the ball today. Having 18 assists on 25 field goals is great."
Central Michigan Women's Basketball hits the road again for back-to-back Wednesday night matchups. The Chippewas visit Butler (Nov. 12; 7 p.m. ET), then Detroit Mercy (Nov. 19; 7 p.m. ET) before their return to McGuirk Arena for Eastern Illinois (Nov. 22; 1 p.m. ET).
