Written By: Noah Reed | @NoahReed_24
Play-by-Play Voice of Ball State Women’s Basketball on Sports Link Radio
Member of Ball State Sports Link

MAC West leaders, Ball State (18-7, 10-4 MAC) and Central Michigan (17-8, 11-3 MAC) are set to do battle from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with the division lead at stake.

Tonight’s game is a rematch from 14 days ago when the Chippewas walked away from Worthen Arena with a 74-65 win, handing Ball State its first loss at home this year.

What to Watch For:

1. Underclassmen lead the way for Central Michigan

 All four leading scorers for the Chippewas are underclassmen, including two of which who are freshmen. Newcomer Presley Hudson leads the way for Central Michigan with 14 points and nearly four assists per game. Hudson also holds a MAC best and NCAA 8^th best free throw percentage at 89%.

Central Michigan’s other newcomer who has made a huge impact in her freshman year is Reyna Frost. Frost averages a team high 9.9 rebounds per game, which is good for 4^th in the MAC. Frost has grabbed double figure rebounds on 12 occasions this season, including five double-doubles. Her breakout performance came against Akron earlier this season where she tallied 18 points and 20 rebounds

The two sophomores who carry most of the load are second and third respectively in scoring for the Chippewas. Tinara Moore and Cassie Breen average 12.8 and 12.7 points per game respectively. Moore has notched 15 double-doubles this season, which is tied for 11^th in the nation this year.

2. MAC’s two best rebounding teams

Both teams take a large amount of pride in rebounding the basketball. The two teams rank at the top of the Mid American Conference and amongst the leaders in the NCAA.

Central Michigan leads the way in the MAC outrebounding opponents by nearly 7.5 rebounds per game and total rebounds at 44.6 per contest. The rebounds per game mark is good enough for 8^th in the NCAA.

Ball State trails only Central Michigan as far as rebounding margin goes, outrebounding opponents by 6.6 rebounds. While the Cardinals don’t grab nearly as many rebounds as the Chippewas, they do it from the other side of things. Ball State only allows 34 rebounds per outing, which is two fewer than any other MAC school.

Tonight’s game can be heard on the Ball State Radio Network (102.9 FM/1340 AM) with Tyler Bradfield and myself on the call. Tip off is set from 7pm ET.