Whether it be members of the women’s basketball, men’s volleyball teams or any other, Ball State athletics is continuing to grow its LGBTQ+ community.
Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community comes with peaks and valleys, especially for these former Ball State athletes and staff.
The Cardinals suffered a 77-59 loss to the Belmont Bruins (26-8) in the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT). Here are three takeaways from the season finale.
Ball State women's basketball was plagued by struggles rebounding and finding quality inside shots in a 65-50 MAC Tournament semifinal loss to Kent State. This team, which has accomplished so much this season, will have to regroup in a week’s time and likely play in a postseason tournament that isn’t the NCAA tournament.
The Ball State Cardinals (28-4, 16-2 MAC) opened Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament play with a 77-53 first round win against the Ohio Bobcats (11-19, 8-10 MAC) Wednesday afternoon. Tip-off for Ball State’s second round game against the winner of Northern Illinois V. Kent State is scheduled for Friday, March 15, 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game between the Toledo Rockets and Buffalo Bulls.
The record-breaking season Ball State women’s basketball (27-4, 16-2 MAC) has had up to this point has been the prelude to what their ultimate goal is: capturing a MAC championship and NCAA tournament berth.
“We talk a lot about playing the standards, and part of that is giving your max effort. It doesn't matter if you're up 20 [or] down 20. It doesn't matter if it's first quarter fourth quarter [or] overtime,” junior Nyla Hampton said. “At any point in time, give all that you can.”
With the regular season conference champion still to be determined, Ball State (26-4, 15-2 MAC) locked up at least the number two seed in the conference tournament with a 75-71 road win against Kent State (18-9, 13-4 MAC).
On the second miss, Becki grabbed the rebound and found Rauch who once again earned a trip to the line. After missing the first, she put the second free throw in to give her 1,000. Rauch would add two more later in the quarter to finish with 17 for the game.
The game against the Zips (9-16, 4-10 MAC) was dedicated to the people of Westminster Village, a non-profit retirement community in Muncie. Several people from Westminster showed up and claimed a corner in the arena, hanging a poster of support for the Cardinals. With the group in attendance, the Cardinals bounced back from a loss against the Toledo Rockets and came away with a 75-51 win over Akron.
