MUNCIE, Ind.--Ball State University used a 12-0 run midway in the first half to pull away and post a 65-54 victory over North Dakota State University in the Ball State Credit Union Classic championship game played before 428 fans at Worthen Arena on Sunday, Nov. 27.

North Dakota State (1-3) is scheduled to host Middle Tennessee State (3-1) at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Bison Sports Arena. Middle Tennessee State is the first Division I team to play in Fargo since LSU paid a visit during the 1981-82 season opener. NDSU will offer the NCAA Take a Kid to the Game ticket special Sunday. Children 17 and under can purchase a ticket for only $1 with the purchase of an adult ticket.

"I'm proud of our team's effort. We fought hard. We just need to find a way to get the ball into the basket more," said NDSU head coach Amy Ruley. 

The Bison and Ball State (4-0) went back and forth for the game's first 10 minutes. NDSU went up 13-12 with 10:04 left as Brandee Gibbs hooked up with Kayla Dahlen on a nifty pass inside.

However, Kiley Jarrett drilled in a trio of three-pointers to help the Cardinals take flight and embark on a 12-0 run to build a 24-13 advantage. A pair of Ali Sonstelie free throws with 5:05 left stopped the BSU run. Ball State led 34-23 at halftime.

Sonstelie, a 6-foot-2 freshman from Winger, Minn., matched her career-high with nine points in the first half. She hit a three-pointer with 18:10 left in the second half to trim the deficit to 34-28. NDSU went scoreless for over three minutes and the Cardinals extended the cushion to 42-28. BSU led by double-digits for the remainder of the game.

"We've been learning with each game. (Today) We learned when the other team gets physical , we need to continue to be aggressive," said Sonstelie.

"I take what I can get offensively. I try and take a good shot for the team."

Sonstelie finished with 17 points and five rebounds, while Danni Heintzelman chipped in 11 points and Kayla Dahlen contributed nine points and team-high eight rebounds. Sonstelie and Dahlen were named to the all-tournament team 

Stewart scored 15 points, Jarrett tallied 13 as five Cardinals reached double figures. Tournament Julie DeMuth recorded a "double-double" with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Rachaelle Hampton netted 11 and Kelsey Corbin added 10 points and eight assists.

Ball State shot 38.8 percent from the field compared to 32.1 percent for the Bison. Both teams hit 4 of 16 three-point field goals. The Cardinals outrebounded NDSU 45-38.