Ball State's 16-2 record, 7-0 mark in the Mid-American Conference and 10-game winning streak meant nothing at all to Ohio guard Jennifer Bushby.
Bushby and guard Lauren Kohn nailed a combined nine of 10 free throws in the last minute to seal Ohio's 77-66 upset over the heavily favored Cardinals on the road.
We've had a lot of close games this year when it came down to free throws
Kohn said. We always remember that feeling that you get when you miss them at the end. We just connected today.
After struggling offensively in the past, the Bobcats came out shooting 58 percent from the field in the first half and startled Ball State, which recently received votes in both the Associated Press and coaches' polls for the first time in five years.
But the Cardinals couldn't contain Bushby, who played all 40 minutes coming off a career-high performance against Northern Illinois last Tuesday.
The freshman had 17 points and eight assists Saturday, nailing a key 3-pointer with eight seconds left in the first half.
That gave the Bobcats (11-9, 4-4 MAC) a 36-33 lead at the break where the odds were in their favor ' the 'Cats were previously 9-1 when winning at halftime this season.
(Bushby) gives us an early spark said coach Sylvia Crawley. She'll get a deflection or early steal and it sets the tone for the whole game.
But after holding the Bobcats scoreless in the first six minutes of the second half, Ball State quickly built a seven-point lead with 11:54 remaining.
The 'Cats, however, never panicked. Fueled by guard Rachel Frederick's offensive rebounds, Ohio's shooting came alive and brought them right back to a tie at 53 with 6:09 left.
She basically got every loose ball
Crawley said of Frederick, who finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
The Bobcats then mounted a 14-2 run after a Kohn jumper to take a shocking 67-55 lead with just two minutes left.
Remembering that giving up 3-pointers let Northern Illinois back into last Tuesday's game, Crawley told the 'Cats to let Ball State have an easy lay-up.
They have to foul us
so if we make our two free throws
we're just simply exchanging points
and we have to win
she said.
The Cardinals got to within eight, but with the way Ohio shot from the charity stripe ' 23-of-27 ' Ball State had no chance.
We shoot free throws every day in practice
sometimes 50 a piece
Bushby said. But it's a free throw; it's easy. We're supposed to make them. You just have to take a deep breath and put them in.
That's exactly what the Bobcats did, giving Ball State its first loss in the MAC and first loss at home in 12 games, dating back to last year.
Any game you can get on the road is huge to begin with
Frederick said. Giving them their first loss in the MAC is going to send a message out to people not to overlook us.
