Wednesday, February 26
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
6:30 p.m.
Central Michigan University
12-15,7-8MAC
58
vs
60
Ball State
21-7,13-2MAC
1
2
3
4
OT 1
F
Ball St.
10
11
18
10
11
60
Central Mich.
10
13
12
14
9
58
Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Chippewas Dictate Defense to League-Leading Ball State in Overtime Loss, 60-58
2/26/2025 11:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Women’s Basketball holds the Cardinals to their fewest points in regulation in MAC play; Darrington’s first 20-rebound night, Morson logs eighth 20-point game
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — "We knew that this game was going to be physical, and we didn't let them bully us."
Central Michigan Women's Basketball gave Mid-American Conference leader Ball State all it could handle Wednesday night, falling in overtime, 60-58.
"We're there," Head Coach Kristin Haynie said. "We've had a lot of experience now. I'm really proud of this team for competing like that with the number one team in this conference."
The Chippewas' defensive effort held the Cardinals to just 49 points in regulation, the fewest of any conference game, second to Ball State's matchup at Ohio State (48) in December.
"The defensive gameplan was executed for the most part. Very proud of them for keeping that team 15 points under their average. it shows they dictated, and we can play with anyone in this league."
CMU showed why it ranks in the top-10 across the board in NCAA I in rebounding this season, an effort championed by Ayanna-Sarai Darrington (Lexington, Ky. / Frederick Douglass) with 21 rebounds—11 on the offensive end.
"For Ana to have 21 rebounds, that's gritty, but that was all of our team. Twenty-three [team off. rebounds] is relentless, it's effort."
Darrington's effort tied for sixth all-time in a single game, the most rebounds by a CMU player since Jahari Smith posted her 23-rebound effort in January 2022. It also netted her sixth double-double.
Neither team led by more than five points throughout the contest, making an 8-0 run to end the third quarter from Ball State even more impactful. A four-point lead for CMU turned into a four-point deficit in less than 60 seconds.
The Chippewas dished out an 11-2 run to open the fourth quarter. Madi Morson (Canton, Mich. / Salem) accounted for five of her game-high 26 points in that stretch.
"When they went on their run, we stopped the bleeding. Our team grew up from that; we were able to refocus and get it back."
Morson's effort came on a season-high 29 field goal attempts, the most by a Chippewa in over a decade, as CMU battled through Ball State's defensive effort.
"To be a freshman and just stay confident is awesome. It's a testament to her mental toughness. I'm proud of Madi, she hit a big shot in overtime … she's not dwelling on the misses: she's ready to knock down that next shot."
Lisa Tesson (Montreal, Quebec / Royal Crown) stepped into a three-pointer 90 seconds into overtime to regain the lead, 54-53.
"I'm proud of Lisa too. She hadn't scored all game long and then she hit a big three to put us up."
After 35 minutes focused defensively on MAC Player of the Year contender Ally Becki—held to just eight points, 4-of-15 from the field—Tesson finally took control to find the bottom of the net.
"All of our guards did a really good job getting her frustrated, not letting her do what she wants to do. We did a really good job of containing her."
Morson found herself one-on-one with a Cardinal big on the left wing, took two dribbles to size her up and pulled up for her signature mid-range jumper to tie the game, 58-58, with one minute to go. Becky scored her fourth field goal of the night to win the game the next possession.
Central Michigan Women's Basketball heads out for visits to Toledo (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET) and Miami (OH) (March 5, 7 p.m. ET) before it returns for Senior Day against Akron (March 8, 1 p.m. ET).
Central Michigan Women's Basketball gave Mid-American Conference leader Ball State all it could handle Wednesday night, falling in overtime, 60-58.
"We're there," Head Coach Kristin Haynie said. "We've had a lot of experience now. I'm really proud of this team for competing like that with the number one team in this conference."
The Chippewas' defensive effort held the Cardinals to just 49 points in regulation, the fewest of any conference game, second to Ball State's matchup at Ohio State (48) in December.
"The defensive gameplan was executed for the most part. Very proud of them for keeping that team 15 points under their average. it shows they dictated, and we can play with anyone in this league."
CMU showed why it ranks in the top-10 across the board in NCAA I in rebounding this season, an effort championed by Ayanna-Sarai Darrington (Lexington, Ky. / Frederick Douglass) with 21 rebounds—11 on the offensive end.
"For Ana to have 21 rebounds, that's gritty, but that was all of our team. Twenty-three [team off. rebounds] is relentless, it's effort."
Darrington's effort tied for sixth all-time in a single game, the most rebounds by a CMU player since Jahari Smith posted her 23-rebound effort in January 2022. It also netted her sixth double-double.
Neither team led by more than five points throughout the contest, making an 8-0 run to end the third quarter from Ball State even more impactful. A four-point lead for CMU turned into a four-point deficit in less than 60 seconds.
The Chippewas dished out an 11-2 run to open the fourth quarter. Madi Morson (Canton, Mich. / Salem) accounted for five of her game-high 26 points in that stretch.
"When they went on their run, we stopped the bleeding. Our team grew up from that; we were able to refocus and get it back."
Morson's effort came on a season-high 29 field goal attempts, the most by a Chippewa in over a decade, as CMU battled through Ball State's defensive effort.
"To be a freshman and just stay confident is awesome. It's a testament to her mental toughness. I'm proud of Madi, she hit a big shot in overtime … she's not dwelling on the misses: she's ready to knock down that next shot."
Lisa Tesson (Montreal, Quebec / Royal Crown) stepped into a three-pointer 90 seconds into overtime to regain the lead, 54-53.
"I'm proud of Lisa too. She hadn't scored all game long and then she hit a big three to put us up."
After 35 minutes focused defensively on MAC Player of the Year contender Ally Becki—held to just eight points, 4-of-15 from the field—Tesson finally took control to find the bottom of the net.
"All of our guards did a really good job getting her frustrated, not letting her do what she wants to do. We did a really good job of containing her."
Morson found herself one-on-one with a Cardinal big on the left wing, took two dribbles to size her up and pulled up for her signature mid-range jumper to tie the game, 58-58, with one minute to go. Becky scored her fourth field goal of the night to win the game the next possession.
Central Michigan Women's Basketball heads out for visits to Toledo (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET) and Miami (OH) (March 5, 7 p.m. ET) before it returns for Senior Day against Akron (March 8, 1 p.m. ET).
Team Stats
BSU
CMU
FG%
.373
.262
3FG%
.111
.400
FT%
.560
.500
RB
46
57
TO
16
18
STL
10
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
11
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
5
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
4
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
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