The loss for the Cardinals wraps up a crash-and-burn end of the season. Ball State's hopes of almost assuredly taking the MAC West Division title and a first-round tournament bye vanished with three straight losses to end the regular season. That losing streak ends at four with Sunday's decision.
Even though Ball State finished in sixth place overall, the Cardinals fared better than five other MAC teams. Western Michigan University finished in ninth, the University of Toledo placed 13th, Ohio University placed in 16th, the University of Akron finished in 17th while Bowling Green State University placed last.
Ball State had 20 assists to just 11 turnovers in the game, but Ohio keyed in at the free-throw line, hitting 27-of-34 (79.4 percent) from the charity stripe, compared to just 11-of-16 for the Cardinals.
Jackson said the reason for her improved play stems from a plea from coack Kelly Packard for another rebounder other than junior forward Emily Maggert.
The Cardinals (3-6) fell behind 6-1 in the second inning, as starting pitcher Scott Brothers delivered the worst start of the season for Ball State. The senior lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits. But freshmen Jon Cisna and Michael Sandman combined for 7 2/3 shutout innings, and Ball State's offense rallied for nine runs.
For the third time this season, Ball State had a decisive victory over Western Michigan, this time 67-43. With the win, the Cardinals advance to Cleveland to face MAC West Division winner University of Toledo in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Ball State coach Nadalie Walsh had a couple of unique scheduling choices Friday. Freshman Emily Wehrle and sophomore Ellie Carrico were held out of the meet due to nagging injuries.
Today's game is set for a 2 p.m. tipoff. Though it is a MAC Tournament game, students who have stayed in Muncie for Spring Break can still get into "The Nest" free of charge by showing their student IDs.
Over Spring Break, the Cardinals will be taking on two teams in Las Vegas as part of their preparation for the MAC tournament.
For the Ball State University women's basketball team (13-16, 7-9 MAC) and Western Michigan University (9-20, 4-12 MAC) everything is on the line. A win means advancing to Cleveland for the quarterfinals while a loss ends the season.
Trampled by dismal free-throw shooting and costly turnovers, Ball State lost 67-52 to Western Michigan as the Cardinals ended their regular season with three straight losses for the second year in a row.
Ball State had 16 personal best times out of 20 swims Thursday, good enough to compile 89 points.
The high cost of travel is keeping many Ball State University students from going on vacation this Spring Break.
Ball State coach Billy Taylor didn't comment on Watson's specific actions, but said he is meeting with Watson today to further evaluate the situation.
The gymnastics team will head to Gainesville, Fla., ready for its toughest matchup of the season. Ball State University will face No. 4 University of Florida and the University of North Carolina at 7 p.m. Friday.
University Treasurer Randy Howard assured the Salary and Benefits Committee on Wednesday that there won't be any salary cuts or changes to retirement plans for faculty.
Originally scheduled for Feb. 10, the match would have marked the start to the Cardinals' seven-match homestand. After postponing the match due to weather, IPFW travels to Muncie today to take on Ball State. The match will now conclude the team's home stretch.
Crawford and Knipp will both be fighting an uphill battle to get onto NFL Draft boards because they were not invited to the combine, which was held this week at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Cardinals (15-13, 8-7 MAC) need a win to have any realistic chance of receiving a bye through the first round of the MAC Tournament. With a win and an Eastern Michigan University loss against Central Michigan University, Ball State would claim the No. 2 seed and the bye.
