MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State recorded a 64-40 homecourt victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday night at Worthern Arena in women's college basketball.

SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens said after Ball State got off to a 19-0 start, the Cougars, 3-16, calmed down. "After the first eight minutes, we played better defensively."

Raven Berry scored SIUE's first basket at 14:07 of the first half. After Emily Maggert hit a three-pointer with 12:15 to play, Ball State held a 20-point lead. After the Cardinals, 8-8, put up the early run, the game was nearly even the rest of the way.

Maggert led all scorers with 17 points. The starting forward for the Cardinals shot 7 of 8 from the field. Ball State shot 44 percent from the field as a team.

Ashley Bey and Melia Duncan shared the top scoring honors for the Cougars with 10 points each. SIUE shot 13 of 50 for the game.

"Getting behind early, we forced shots," said Levens. The Cougars' patience helped them pull within 40-26 with 14:46 remaining in the game.

Levens credited Ball State. "They did not a good job of taking things away. Their record really doesn't indicate how good they are. They have a chance to do well in the MAC (Mid-American Conference)."

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