CLEVELAND — Here were our updates and analysis from Saturday’s Mid-American Conference women’s basketball championship game between Toledo and Ball State. The story was updated throughout the game.
FIRST QUARTER
■ What happened: An eventful first quarter ended with a 14-14 tie.
Toledo went nearly five minutes without scoring, but Ball State had a three-plus-minute drought during that same period.
The Rockets trailed 12-7, retaking the lead after a 7-0 run.
MAC player of the year Ally Becki had four turnovers, a continuation of her woeful game at Savage Arena.
Another transition three for Key! 🔑#TeamToledo | @kgoss_22 pic.twitter.com/k4xokWQs7K
— Toledo Women's Basketball (@ToledoWBB) March 15, 2025
■ Analysis: For the first time in Cleveland, Toledo started out well. The Rockets have played from behind all week, using huge third-quarter performances to overcome slow starts.
SECOND QUARTER
■ What happened: Defense has carried the Rockets to a three-point halftime lead.
Ball State shot 38.5 percent in the first half and made just 3 of 13 field goal attempts in the second quarter. The Cardinals are 0 for 6 from beyond the arc.
Khera Goss and Kendall Carruthers have six points apiece for Toledo. The Rockets have four 3-pointers.
Khera AGAIN‼️
— Toledo Women's Basketball (@ToledoWBB) March 15, 2025
TOL 20, BSU 18 | 2Q 4:04#TeamToledo | @kgoss_22 pic.twitter.com/77jzWjCJr7
■ Analysis: If Toledo gets its usual strong third quarter, it could create valuable separation for the final 10 minutes.
THIRD QUARTER
■ What happened: Ball State enters the fourth quarter with a 43-40 lead, which came off a critical five-point swing.
With the score tied at 40, Toledo’s Faith Fedd-Robinson missed a layup that would have given the Rockets a 42-40 lead. Instead, Ball State came down and hit a 3 to take go up 43-40.
The Cardinals finally hit two 3s in the third quarter.
Nan Garcia, who’s been great in the MAC tournament, is 0 for 7 with three turnovers.
Hello Klutch Kendall! 👋
— Toledo Women's Basketball (@ToledoWBB) March 15, 2025
TOL 40, BSU 38 | 3Q 3:07#TeamToledo | @2Carruthersk pic.twitter.com/b76AzZ1pww
■ Analysis: A down-to-the-wire game was expected, and that’s exactly what’s transpiring. The team that defends and makes shots (obviously) is going to win. This is when your best player(s) have to take over.
FOURTH QUARTER
■ What happened: Alex Richard and the Ball State Cardinals pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 65-58 win over Toledo.
Keep fighting. Sammi with the and-1 to get Toledo back within single digits.#TeamToledo pic.twitter.com/FXg4JHtsBQ
— Toledo Women's Basketball (@ToledoWBB) March 15, 2025
■ Analysis: The Rockets fall one game shy of their second NCAA tournament appearance in three seasons.
First Published March 15, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
