Three weeks ago, the only thing head coach Tracy Roller could do was sit back and shake her head as she watched her team's defense lose games that seemed within grasp. But for the second straight game, it was the defense that saved the day as the Cardinals beat the University at Buffalo, 62-45, in Buffalo.
"I never thought I would say that," Roller said. "But in the second half we just kept our defensive intensity and played great defense."
Going into the game, Roller was concerned with Buffalo's zone defense, which had been the main reason for its success. But the Bulls (7-5, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) switched from their usual zone to make it harder for the Ball State perimeter players.
"I was really surprised at how little zone they played," Roller said. "We were able to get our shots, but we just couldn't hit anything. Who would have thought that with only two players in double figures (scoring) and the three other starters had less eight that we could win."
After struggling their way to a 28-28 tie at halftime, Roller said the Cardinals (8-4, 2-0 MAC) took advantage of key Buffalo mistakes as they capitalized on Bull turnovers in three straight possessions.
Leading the charge was junior Julie Just, who hit two straight 3-pointers, while freshman Dana Collins scored six of her 10 points in the final stretch of the game to secure the win for the Cardinals.
"I don't think anyone could have expected Dana to play like this," Roller said. "She is at times our most consistent player. She just sees the floor so well and she doesn't make a lot of mistake. It's hard for me to consider her a freshman anymore."
With the win, Roller said the team really stepped up in showing how important it is to win on the road in the MAC.
"Everyone in the MAC is beating each other up right now," she said. "To be able to go on the road and come back with a win is really big for us right now."
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