CLEVELAND – Ball State women’s basketball head coach Brady Sallee has been a head coach for 21 years, but a conference tournament title has eluded him in every season — until now.
Through strong teams, tornado warnings during a championship (yes, you read that right), and more, it has slipped through his hands.
But it is slipping through his fingers no more.
For the first time since 2009, the Cardinals are heading to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 60-52 win over Toledo to claim the crown of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament Champions.
“You got to believe in yourself. You have to keep speaking it into existence,” Sallee said. “...Whether it takes 21 years, or whether you get it in year one. I'm telling you that self-talk is something when you can get it right, you can accomplish a lot of things.”
As the final buzzer rang in Rocket Arena, Sallee had his hands on his knees, and his staff and players embraced him.
“It was 21 years of players [going through my head]. It was 21 years of that heartbreak in the locker room when you did not get it done,” Sallee said. “It is the journey that goes through your head.”
Ball State women's basketball players celebrate March 15 after winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament. This is the first time the Cardinals won the event since 2009. Zach Carter, DN.
Alongside Sallee and his journey are the Cardinals, who have stayed in the program through thick and thin. Senior Marie Kiefer said the Cardinals know how much Brady puts into the Ball State women’s basketball program and know his heart is all in, just as they are.
Kiefer is one of the “Core Four” members alongside Ally Becki, Madelyn Bischoff and Alex Richard.
“You're thinking about this day and age with the transfer portal, those kids decided to stay and stick it out,” Sallee said. “...Those kids were like, ‘Nope, I'm loyal to my buddies. I'm loyal to that program. I want to finish this out. I want to cut down the nets.’”
The Cardinals cut down the nets, but Toledo held a three-point lead heading into the locker room at halftime. Richard said when she saw Sallee not worried at the break, his energy gave life to the Cardinals.
Sallee told the Cardinals to remember how much they love each other and play with heart at half. He said that love and connection between each player is deeply ingrained in everything they do.
Richard proceeded to drop 24 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 28 points when the buzzers rang. Sallee said a lot of teams spend their time focusing on how they can stop Becki, freeing up space for someone else to step up in open space.
The Cardinals outscored Toledo 22-16 in the third quarter and 17-12 in the fourth.
“I wanted it more this time," Becki said. "The bench as a whole, we could see it in each other's eyes how much we wanted it more."
Becki was named the MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player and finished her last game in the tournament with ten points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Becki recalled the game against Columbia when she was tired after the game, she said she felt the exact same way today, leaving it all on the court.
“We were tougher mentally and trying to be more physically,” Kiefer said.
Sallee said this is not just a women’s basketball championship, it’s a Muncie and Ball State championship. From those who come to every game to those who just decided to follow the team, every fan had a hand in the win.
“I hope everybody celebrates their part of this championship,” Sallee said.
Ball State will now wait to be placed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket on Selection Sunday to see who they will face next and when.
Becki said that with how the Cardinals are playing currently, she thinks Ball State could make a run in the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament.
But to win, she said the team has to keep on doing what they always do. Play for each other.
Contact Elijah Poe via email at elijah.poe@bsu.edu or on X @ElijahPoe4.
Read More
Classes offered at Cornerstone Center for the Arts facilitate creation
By Savana New / 42 minutes agoCeramics students start with chunks of clay and work to turn them into beautiful things like decorations and gifts.
3 takeaways from Ball State women’s basketball’s MAC Tournament Championship win
By Logan Connor / 5 hours agoBall State beats Toledo 60-52 to win its first MAC Tournament title since 2009.
Postcards from the MAC semifinals day
By Staff Reports / 20 hours agoPostcards from the Daily News Sports Team’s third full day in Cleveland covering the MAC Basketball Tournament.
