MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a tense Mid-American Conference clash defined by momentum swings and a decisive final minute, the Ball State Cardinals held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Toledo Rockets to secure a 72-68 victory in women’s basketball on Wednesday night at Worthen Arena.

A crowd of 1,653 watched as Ball State, now 12-4 overall, used a dominant second quarter to build a cushion that ultimately proved just enough to withstand Toledo’s late charge. The Rockets fell to 6-7 despite a game-high 19 points from guard Kendall Carruthers, a Toledo native.

The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded in the final 12 seconds with Ball State clinging to a 71-68 lead. After a Toledo timeout, the Rockets inbounded and found Carruthers for a potential game-tying 3-pointer from the wing. The shot missed, but Ball State’s Karsyn Norman was fouled on the rebound. Norman, a Bedford, Indiana, product, sank the first of two free throws to extend the lead to four points with 12 seconds left. Her second attempt missed, but Toledo’s last-gasp 3-point attempt by Alexa Hocevar was blocked by Ball State’s Aniss Tagayi as time expired, sealing the Cardinals’ win.

The most critical phase of the game was Ball State’s second-quarter surge. After a tightly contested first period ended with Toledo leading 15-14, the Cardinals seized control with a 21-11 advantage in the second frame. Ball State’s offense found its rhythm inside, scoring 46 points in the paint for the game, and its defense forced Toledo into a series of rushed possessions. This stretch turned a narrow deficit into a 35-26 halftime lead, a margin that provided crucial breathing room for the home team.

Ball State’s victory was a product of balanced scoring and orchestrated offense. Sophomore guard Bree Salenbien of Adrian, Michigan, led the Cardinals with 14 points and a game-high seven assists, consistently breaking down the Toledo defense. Center Tessa Towers provided a strong interior presence with 17 points and two blocks. Tagayi, from Montpellier, France, added eight points, four assists and the game-sealing block, while guards Grace Kingery and Norman each contributed 11 points.

Toledo, which has now lost two straight conference games, showcased resilience after halftime. The Rockets outscored Ball State 20-18 in the third quarter and 22-19 in the fourth, repeatedly cutting into the lead. Carruthers was the catalyst, scoring 12 of her points after halftime. Ella Weaver added 10 points for the Rockets, and Faith Fedd-Robinson also chipped in 10.

The Rockets also capitalized on Ball State’s mistakes, scoring 19 points off 15 Cardinals turnovers. However, Toledo’s own offensive consistency wavered, particularly during the second-quarter drought that decided the game’s trajectory.

With the win, Ball State continues its strong start to MAC play and will host Buffalo on Jan. 14. Toledo, looking to rebound, returns home to face Western Michigan on Saturday.