Looking for their biggest win of the season, BGSU women’s basketball (11-10, 5-5) travel to Muncie, Indiana, to take on the leaders in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Ball State Cardinals (18-4, 10-0).
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Lucas Kleimeyer and Kaden Knapp will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM starting at 6:15 p.m. for pregame, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday night will be the 76th matchup between Bowling Green and Ball State, with the Falcons leading the series 48-27.
The Cardinals won the only meeting last season against BG with a 76-61 win in Muncie. Bowling Green has won four of the last seven meetings against Ball State but hasn’t won at Worthen Arena since Jan. 2, 2021.
BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons picking up a win over the Cardinals could be a momentum-changing win for the remainder of the year. Coming off of back-to-back conference wins against Akron at home, and more recently a big 76-69 on the road versus Central Michigan.
Freshman Johnea Donahue, who has been reinserted into the lineup for head coach Fred Chmiel has provided a huge spark for the Falcons. In the last two games, she has recorded 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Sophomore Paige Kohler has been sensational during this recent win streak for the Orange and Brown as well. Tying her career high in points against Akron with 28, then scoring a team-high 17 against Central Michigan.
After her dominating fourth-quarter performance against the Chippewas, fifth-year guard Erika Porter leads the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 56.5%.
Against a tough team like Ball State, the Falcons are going to need to put together a complete performance from the opening tip. Especially the turnover battle, and capitalizing off of Ball State’s mistakes.
BALL STATE
The Cardinals have been the best team in the MAC this season as they remain undefeated in conference play with 10 wins. The only defeats this season have come against nationally ranked North Carolina and Ohio State. Along with Columbia and South Dakota State.
Ball State is averaging 74.9 points per game (PPG), which is third in the MAC. They are the number one blocking team with 94 blocks on the year, and the third most assists with 357. BSU also has the second-best turnover margin in the MAC, plus 4.50, and averaging 19.1 per game.
They are led by superstar senior Ally Becki, who is first in the MAC in assists (132), third in steals (56), fourth in field goal percentage (50.6%), and fifth in 3-point field goal shooting (39.3%). Her partner in crime is senior Alex Richard, who is second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.6 PPG. She also has 20 blocks and 16 steals on the year.
Led by head coach Brady Sallee, the Cardinals are as well-rounded as it gets in the MAC and are an elite defensive team, only allowing opponents 60.0 PPG.
Currently, on a 12-game winning streak, Ball State will need a clean performance to get another big win against the in-form Falcons.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior guard – #1 Amy Velasco, Bowling Green
Velasco had a relatively quiet game for her standards against Central Michigan, but the Centerville, Ohio, native has been consistent all season for the Falcons and will need to step up big against a good defensive team in Ball State.
Sophomore guard – #10 Paige Kohler, Bowling Green
She has been in excellent form as of late for the Orange and Brown, and she will need a big day shooting, especially from three-point shooting. Defensive rebounding could also play a big factor in the outcome of the game, and Kohler has been exceptional in that category this season.
Senior guard – #0 Ally Becki, Ball State
Becki has started all 22 games for the Cardinals this season. She leads the Cardinals in nearly every single stat category and is extremely efficient from the charity stripe, shooting 86.7% from the line.
Senior forward – #14 Marie Kiefer, Ball State
The senior from Kentucky leads the team in rebounding with 146 total on the year, 121 of them being defensive. With 40 blocks and 38 steals on the year, she is one of the tone-setters defensively for the Cardinals and will play a big role on Wednesday night.
