With the target on its back as the reigning queens of the Mid-American Conference, the Ball State University women's basketball team opened league play Wednesday night by turning the ball over just 12 times in its 70-55 win over Western Michigan University at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (6-7, 1-0 MAC) shrugged off inconsistent play in the non-conference schedule to topple the visiting Broncos (5-9, 0-1 MAC).
"Starting conference games, you know you've got a fresh slate," junior forward Emily Maggert said. "We put all those non-conference games behind us and we came out to play. We knew Western Michigan would be gunning for us because we beat them last year, so we just took care of business."
Maggert fell one rebound shy of recording her ninth double-double of the season as she scored 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field.
Three other Cardinals scored double-digits, as junior guard Ty'Ronda Benning had a game-high 19 points, senior guard Audrey McDonald had 12 and senior forward Danielle Gratton had 11.
Benning and McDonald were also not afraid to distribute the ball around the court, as both finished with a game-best five assists apiece.
Ball State totaled 14 assists to just 12 turnovers in the game.
"It was exciting," Benning said. "My teammates, Emily [Maggert], stepping to the ball for post feeds, helping me out, and me just being patient and my teammates telling me to be patient helped out a lot."
Ball State coach Kelly Packard said she was happy to see her team patient within the offense after oftentimes turning the ball over more than 20 times in the non-conference games.
"I think we're just a lot more structured. This team really thrives in structure, and when we stay disciplined within an offensive strategy, whether it's filling the floor a certain way which we do as we're moving the ball down the floor, it's all mapped out for them," Packard said. "We just settle when we know what we're doing."
The Cardinals took control of the game in the waning minutes of the first half.
A layup from Western Michigan freshman forward DeAirra Goss gave the Broncos a 17-16 lead with 5:52 remaining in the first half, but that would be the last time Western Michigan would lead the rest of the game.
Sophomore forward Jade Barber answered right back with a jumper in the paint just 25 seconds later to ignite a 10-0 Ball State run. The Cardinals led by 10, 33-23, going into halftime.
The Broncos got within five points on two occasions in the second half — the second of which off a jumper from sophomore forward Miame Giden to make the score 40-35 with 14:52 remaining in regulation.
But from that point, the Cardinals extended their lead back to around 10 points for the rest of the game, until late free throws by Ball State widened the margin.
Giden led Western Michigan with 14 points, while junior forward Ebony Cleary had 11 points and a game-high-tying nine rebounds.
Ball State now faces two straight conference games on the road before returning to Worthen Arena on Jan. 15 for a non-conference matchup with SIU-Edwardsville.
The Cardinals next play at Northern Illinois University Saturday before traveling to Central Michigan University on Jan. 12.
For continuing coverage of the women's basketball team over Winter Break, check back with bsudailynews.com, and for a complete Winter Break wrap-up, read Monday's print edition of The Ball State Daily News.
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