1) vs. Bowling Green in Mid-American Conference Championship Game Sunday: The first ever for the program, Ball State came into the game as a slight underdog to the Falcons, who have dominated the MAC in women's basketball during the past few seasons. Also, the win gave Ball State 25 wins on the season, the most ever for the program. It also tied the longest winning streak in program history with 11. Danielle Gratton's 3-pointer to tie in the closing minute was possibly the play of the week in Ball State sports.
2) vs. Northern Illinois March 4, senior night win: It was the last win in Worthen Arena for three seniors with former coach Tracy Roller looking on from the stands. The Cardinals clinched the No. 1 seed in MAC West, giving them a bye in the first round of the MAC Tournament. It allowed the Cardinals to finish the season undefeated at home against the MAC and to lose at home once all season.
3) vs. Miami March 13, in second round of MAC Tournament: Coach Kelly Packard said, "I really felt like the first half today was a team that finally decided it would work just as hard on defense as it does on offense. Our defense led to our offense today." Key example, guard Kiley Jarrett held Miami University's Jenna Schone - who scored 30 points in Miami's first round game - to seven points.
4) vs. Toledo March 7, with a 14-2 record: Ball State set a record for most conference wins in program history and Jarrett set a single-season record for minutes played with 1,092. It marked a 5-0 record against the MAC West for the Cardinals in their second meeting with the teams. Also, Ball State made a season-high 27 free throws in the win.
5) vs. Western Michigan Feb. 28: With the win, Ball State earned a first-round bye and won its 20th game of the season. Packard became only the second coach in program history to get 20 wins in her first year as head coach. Roller also accomplished that in the 2001-02 season. For her performance against Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, including a double-double and a career-high four blocks, guard Porchia Green was named MAC West Division Player of the Week.
6) vs. Buffalo March 14 in semifinal of MAC Tournament: The win gave the Cardinals their first trip to the MAC Finals since the 2006-07 season. Ball State faced Bowling Green State University in its last try at a MAC title, but lost 67-53 to the Falcons. The Cardinals held Buffalo to 12 points in the first half - the second fewest points allowed in the conference tournament since 1993 - on 13.6 percent shooting.
7) vs. Miami Jan. 31: With the win, the Cardinals took sole position of the MAC West lead, which they never gave up. Averaging 20 points and seven rebounds during the course of the Miami and North Dakota State University games, Gratton was named the MAC West Division Player of the Week. Also, in honor of the late Kay Yow, Cardinals had embroidered upside down pink ribbons and there was a moment of silence at the game.
8) vs. Western Michigan Jan. 10: Green scored 13 points and also scored her 1,000th point with 10:07 remaining in the game to become the 19th member of the Ball State women's basketball 1,000 point club. Four Cardinals scored in double figures, including freshmen center Amber Clark, who had 10 points in 14 minutes of play.
9) vs. Buffalo Feb. 8: Audrey McDonald became second all-time in career 3-point baskets made, passing former Cardinal Kate Endress, who played for Ball State from 2002-05. Also, the Cardinals "rotation players" - coach Packard's term for her reserve players - scored 28 points for Ball State. Also, Ball State shot 56.1 percent from the floor, which was the best of the season.
10) vs. Kent State Feb. 11: The Cardinals, who are overlooked on the defensive end, held Kent State's leading scorer Anna Kowalska to six points. It was also one of the best rebounding performances for the Cardinals on the season, an issue they had throughout the season. Ball State outrebounded Kent State 45-25, including 17 offensive rebounds.
11) vs. Robert Morris Nov. 21: It was the first win of the season and first win for the first-year head coach Packard and the four freshmen. McDonald had one of her best shooting performances of the season, going 7-of-11 from behind the arc and hitting all of her free throws, finishing with 25 points. Jarrett dished out 13 assists in the Cardinals' first win, too.
12) vs. Ohio Feb. 14: All five starters scored in double figures, which shows the balance of the team on offense. Also, the Think Pink campaign took place during the game with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
