THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan (14-12, 7-7 MAC)
at Ball State (21-4, 10-4 MAC)
 
Series Record – WMU trails, 36-43
Date / Time – Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
Location – Muncie, Ind. (John E. Worthen Arena) 


BROADCAST INFORMATION
ESPN3
Radio – 1660 AM The Fan, Aaron Coyle
Live Stats – www.sidearmstats.com/ballstate/wbball
Twitter Updates - @WMU_WBB
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Broncos and Cardinals first met in 1975, with the Cardinals holding a 43-36 lead. Ball State has owned the recent history, winning 11 of the last 12 and five straight leads 25-14 when in Muncie. Wednesday will be the second meeting of the season as Ball State won 81-71 on Feb. 10 inside University Arena. Trailing 14 at the break Western Michigan cut the deficit to four at the end of the third. Deja Wimby led the comeback with 11 points but the Cardinals sealed the victory outscoring WMU 24-18 in the final stanza. Three players scored in double figures for the Brown & Gold, including a team-high 25 points from junior Breanna Mobley while Wimby added 16 and senior Najee Smith recorded 11.
 
HEARTBREAKING OVERTIME LOSS
Last time out, the Broncos fell at the buzzer, 69-68, in overtime at Toledo on Saturday afternoon. Western Michigan led for most of regulation until a 17-5 Rocket run in the fourth boosted UT ahead by three with three seconds remaining. Freshman Kia Brooks sent the contest into overtime by hitting a clutch three pointer in the corner but the Rockets would eventually seal the victory in the first overtime with a layup at the buzzer off an inbounds play. Deja Wimby led all Broncos with 23 points while two others scored in double figures including Breanna Mobley (14) and Jordan Walker (10).
 
FINAL STRETCH
Including Wednesday, the Broncos play three of their final three games on the road and all against MAC West opponents, including two who are higher in the standings. Western Michigan is currently fourth in the west and fifth in the conference standings. If the Mid-American Conference Tournament started today the Broncos would host Kent State on Monday, March. 5.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
With just four games remaining in the regular season, it is crunch time for the Western Michigan women's basketball team. After Wednesday, WMU welcomes rival Central Michigan for a rematch from this season's previous game on Saturday, Feb. 24 before hosting Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for "Senior Night". The final regular season contest will take place at Northern Illinois on March. 3. 
 
CATCHING UP ON THE BROWN & GOLD
The Broncos have the fifth ranked scoring offense in the conference, averaging 70.2 points per game, and sit second in the MAC in scoring defense with 65.8. At home this season, WMU has been stellar with a record of 8-3 averaging 76.7 points per game compared to just 65.2 on the road and a 5-7 record in unfamiliar territory. WMU has three players averaging in double figures with Breanna Mobley leading the way with 16.2 points per game to go along with 8.5 rebounds follow by Deja Wimby with 11.8 and Marley Hill at 10.0. Wimby has been the floor general this season, dishing out a team-high 140 assists, good for 5.8 per game which is third-best in the league.
 
CARDINALS SCOUTING REPORT
Ball State, who is coached by sixth year head coach Brady Sallee, enters this game ranked No. 15 in the latest College Insider Mid-Major Top-25 with a 21-4 overall record and is 10-4 in the MAC and 12-2 at home this season. The team is led by Moriah Monaco who scores 17.4 ppg and averages 5.9 rebounds. Three other Cardinals score in double figures for Ball State in Destin Washington (12.5), Carmen Grande (11.9) and Jasmin Samz (11.1). Ball State entered undefeated conference season at 11-0 in non-conference play but have fallen to conference opponents in Central Michigan, Buffalo, Toledo and Ohio but take a three-game winning streak into Wednesday's contest. As a team, the Cardinals have the second ranked scoring offense (81.9) and lead the league in scoring defense (65.5).