Central Michigan University Athletics
Cardinals Edge Chippewas, 84-76
2/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. - Jalisa Olive had a season high 26 points but Ball State held off Central Michigan to win 84-76 on Sunday.
The Cardinals (9-17, 4-9 Mid-American Conference) overcame a five-point second half deficit with 10:32 left to play to grab the lead, which they never surrendered.
The Chippewas (13-14, 5-8 MAC) attempted 80 baskets in the loss, the second most this season, finishing the game 33.8 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent from three-point range. The Cardinals were 43.3 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from behind the arc. CMU had the edge on the boards, 52-45, but was forced into 19 turnovers, the most in the past eight games.
The Maroon and Gold began the game down 9-5, but were able to string together an 11-0 run to claim a 16-9 lead with 9:52 left in the first half. Two free throws by Jordan LaDuke gave the Chippewas their largest lead of the game, nine at 8:01. After three quick points scored by BSU, Olive hit a trey that kept the lead at nine with only 7:13 remaining in the half. The Cardinals fought back and tied the game at 31 with 2:22 left until the break. Back-to-back three balls by Taylor Johnson and Niki DiGuilio put the lead back to seven, 40-33, but two free throws by BSU made the score 40-35 at the break.
Coming out of the half the Cardinals tied the game for the third time at 46, 4:13 into the second and capped of a 10-0 run to build a six-point lead at 14:09. DiGuilio ended the drought with a three-pointer making the hole, 52-49. The home team responded with a three of its own and at 12:11 CMU trailed 57-49. Olive put the team on her back as she hit eight straight points in 58 seconds making the score 57-55. Olive then drove the lane laying in a bucket to hand CMU its last lead of the game at 59-58 at the 10:48 mark. The home team jumped back in front and held onto the lead for the remainder of the game with the Chippewas unable to cut it closer than five.
Jas'Mine Bracey scored 14 points for the Chippewas going 6-for-10 from the floor, while DiGuilio added 11 points. Both Johnson and Brandie Baker each had 10 rebounds.
CMU returns to McGuirk Arena on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off with Northern Illinois.
