NAPLES, Fla. (Interstat) — The Ball State Cardinals used a dominant defensive performance and a commanding advantage on the glass to pull away from the Pittsburgh Panthers for a 55-41 victory in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday at Naples Center.

In a contest defined by frigid shooting, Ball State’s ability to generate second chances proved decisive. The Cardinals corralled 20 offensive rebounds, leading to a 30-16 advantage in points in the paint and a 18-8 edge in points off turnovers.

Ball State improved its record to 6-1, while Pittsburgh fell to an even 4-4.

The game was a struggle for both offenses from the opening tip. Pittsburgh shot just 24.6 percent from the floor, converting 14 of 57 attempts. Ball State was not much better, finishing at 28.2 percent on 20-of-71 shooting. The teams combined to make only 7 of 53 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.

The difference was volume, fueled by Ball State’s relentless work on the offensive glass. The Cardinals attempted 77 field goals to Pittsburgh’s 57 and attempted 16 free throws to the Panthers’ 15.

Bree Salenbien led Ball State with a stat-stuffing performance, scoring 17 points while pulling down 12 rebounds and dishing out four assists in 37 minutes of action. Her frontcourt partner, Tessa Towers, was equally impactful, recording a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds to go along with four assists.

The Panthers started strong, building an early lead and finishing the first quarter with a 15-19 deficit. Amiya Jenkins was a bright spot for Pittsburgh, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds. Lauren Rust anchored the Panthers’ defense with 13 rebounds and a block.

However, Pittsburgh’s offense collapsed in the second period, managing only seven points as Ball State took a 35-22 lead into halftime. The Panthers showed a flicker of life with a 17-point third quarter, but any hope of a comeback was extinguished by a disastrous fourth quarter in which they scored just two points.

Ball State’s Grace Kingery provided a crucial scoring spark off the bench, contributing 12 points. The Cardinals’ defense also forced 20 Pittsburgh turnovers while committing 18 of their own.

The game was part of a multi-team event in Naples. Pittsburgh will look to rebound Saturday against Chicago State at the same venue, while Ball State will face Alabama A&M.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Ball State was projected with a 90.30 percent probability to win, a forecast that held true as their defensive pressure and rebounding prowess ultimately overwhelmed the Panthers.