by US Fed News

The Ball State University women's basketball team (8-6, 1-0 MAC) opened Mid-American Conference play with a 62-55 win over Eastern Michigan (7-9, 0-1 MAC) Wednesday night in Worthen Arena. "Obviously I am happy with our first MAC win," said head coach Kelly Packard. We continue two have balanced scoring and I am also happy with our defensive intensity.

With the absence of Patrice King we needed someone to step up and Jade Barber's performance was very timely and hopefully gave her confidence." Junior forward Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) earned her third double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Gratton also led the team in blocks with a career-high of six. The Cardinals had a season high in blocks with eight. Three other Cardinals scored in double figures, with freshman forward Jade Barber (Louisville, Ky./Ballard) netting a personal best 12 points. Junior forward Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris) and teammate senior guard Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) each had 10 points on the night. Green is eight shy of becoming the 19th member of the Ball State women's basketball 1,000 point club. Green currently has 992 career points. In the second half Eastern Michigan came out strong hitting shots and forcing the Cardinals to turn the ball over, regaining a 37-36 lead with 16:12 in the second half. Ball State would go up 54-45 with 6:05 remaining, hitting free throws down the stretch to seal the victory over the Eagles. In the opening minutes of the game Eastern Michigan scored first but Ball State answered back with a three-pointer from Gratton. The Cardinals led 10-5 at the 15:54 mark. The Eagles went on a 5-0 run of their own tying the game at 10-10 with 15:29 on the clock. After a few lead changes and another tie Eastern Michigan jumped out to its biggest lead of the period 21-15 with 8:36 remaining. Ball State went on a 14-0 run, with Barber scoring 12 of those 14 points, ending the half with a 29-21 edge over the Eagles. EMU scored its last basket at the 8:36 mark and did not manage a basket the remainder of the half. The Ball State University women's basketball team continues league action when it travels to Western Michigan Saturday. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. in University Arena.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

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