In a thrilling showdown at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Women's Basketball Championship, Ball State emerged victorious over Toledo with a final score of 65-58. This victory marks Ball State's second trip to the NCAA tournament, the first since 2009.

Key Performances

• Alex Richard was the standout player, scoring 28 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Richard's dominance was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where she scored 14 of Ball State's first 17 points.
• Ally Becki contributed significantly with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
• For Toledo, Kendall Carruthers led the team with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, while Sammi Mikonowicz added 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals.

Game Highlights

• Third Quarter Surge: Ball State shot 50% in the third quarter, scoring 22 points to take a 43-40 lead into the final quarter.
• Fourth Quarter Dominance: Ball State opened the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run, extending their lead to 54-42. Richard's free throws with under two minutes left sealed the victory at 60-49.

Defensive Battle

• The first half was a defensive struggle, with both teams shooting below 40%. Toledo committed 12 turnovers, while Ball State had 10.
• Ball State finished the game shooting 44.8% from the field, compared to Toledo's 42.9%.

Historical Context

This win ends a 16-year drought for Ball State in the MAC tournament, while Toledo, a nine-time NCAA tournament participant, fell short in their quest for another title.

Looking Ahead

Ball State now prepares for the NCAA tournament, hoping to make a deep run and build on this historic victory.