After four years, 14 starts, 557 points and 339 rebounds, Shanee’ Jackson finally played her last game in Worthen Arena.
She ended her run in Sunday’s 60-46 win over Western Michigan.
Just before the game started, Jackson was announced and recognized to the crowd.
“It was emotional,” Jackson said of the ceremony before the game. She thanked the crowd and her family for the support.
"I was excited for the turnout, and I think she deserves it," Ball State coach Brady Sallee said.
Sallee told a story of when he first arrived to Ball State before the season started. A couple players left the program instead of dealing with a new coach in 2012. Jackson sat in his office and said, "Coach, I just want to win."
"Shanee', little did I know it at the time, has a ton of character," Sallee said.
Junior point guard Brandy Woody grabbed a career-high and game-high 13 rebounds in the win. Woody, at 5-feet, 4-inches, was the shortest player on the floor.
Woody's first shot attempt came from a layup that she missed, but Ball State got the offensive rebound. The ball circled around back to Woody, who shot a 3-point attempt. The ball fell short, but Woody grabbed the rebound and put it in herself.
"She started the game off like she was shot out of a rocket," Sallee said. "When she plays with that much energy, good things happen. Maybe Western Michigan isn't used to defending somebody at the point guard who goes to the boards like she does."
In her final home game, Jackson scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
When asked what characteristic she brought to her team, Jackson smiled and said, “Energy.”
Although it was Jackson’s last home game, it was not her last game as a Cardinal. Ball State will travel to play Toledo on Wednesday. A win at Toledo would put Ball State at the No. 2 seed in the MAC Tournament. Akron plays against Buffalo on Wednesday also. An Akron loss would also put Ball State at the No. 2 seed.
Ball State was predicted to finish dead last in the MAC West, something that both Jackson and sophomore Brittany Carter brought up after the game. Carter admitted that it feels good to prove people wrong.
“We knew we could do it,” Carter said.
Now she’ll be heading to Cleveland in a little over a week.
“It’s amazing,” she said.
After one of many non-conference losses, Sallee sat his team down and gave them a goal: Get to Cleveland.
“The train is headed to Cleveland, and the good news is we’re on it.” Sallee said. “I guess we need to get some more goals.
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