Central Michigan University Athletics
Cardinals Upset Chippewas, 86-77
1/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Notes
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Sophomore Brandie Baker and freshman Niki DiGuilio combined for 40 points for Central Michigan but Ball State had three players combine for 64 points to hand the Chippewas an 86-77 loss at Worthen Arena in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday.
Emily Maggert and Tyronda Benning each scored 22 and Jazmin Hitchens added 20 for the Cardinals (7-10, 2-2 MAC), who handed the Chippewas (11-5, 3-1 MAC) their first loss in conference play and knocked them out of first place in the West Division.
"Early in the game we got the shots we wanted, but we didn't finish," head coach Sue Guevara said. "We missed layup after layup, and it was frustrating."
CMU had to battle from behind throughout the contest and but a 62-61 edge with 6:40 remaining. BSU answered with a 7-1 run to take a 68-63 lead.
Back-to-back buckets brought the Maroon and Gold to within one, but another 7-1 spurt by the Cardinals would give them the lead for good.
Baker and Benning each approached a triple-double for their squads. Baker finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but Benning equaled her effort with 22 points, 10 boards and nine assists. Taylor Johnson also had 10 boards for CMU.
The Chippewas shot 43 percent from the field, 39 from the arc (5-for-13), while the Cardinals shot 39 percent from the floor and 38 percent from the outside (8-for-21), but the difference in the game came at the free throw line.
CMU shot 71 percent from the stripe, compared to BSU's 68 percent, but Ball State toed the line 38 times compared to just 14 for Central Michigan.
"They attempted nearly triple the number of free throws we did, and that was the difference in the game," Guevara said."
BSU was whistled for six fouls in the first eight minutes, but the disparity was 24-12 the rest of the contest, in favor of Ball State. The Cardinals also enjoyed a 52-42 edge on the glass, including 15 offensive rebounds.
Ball State has now claimed 19 of the last 22 meetings between the two squads, including 12 straight on its home floor.
The first round of divisional play concludes for the Chippewas against West Division leader Toledo at McGuirk Arena on Jan. 19.
