Entering Ball State University's first home game in 10 days, coach Tracy Roller felt like her team's contest against Mid-American Conference West Division cellar-dweller Central Michigan University was a defining moment.
After an 84-59 victory that clinched a 20-win season and at least a share of the West Division title, the Cardinals defined their season by completing a couple of year-long goals.
While she understood the importance of Wednesday's game, Roller said she didn't over-emphasize that fact to her players before they took the court.
"I just said, 'Just play,'" Roller said. "That's all I wrote on the board before the game - just play. I think everybody just went out and played as a team and that was encouraging to see."
Senior guard Tina Bolte came off the bench to lead the Cardinals' opening charge, converting 4-of-6 from outside the 3-point line for 12 first half points. However, Bolte credited her fellow guard's ability to penetrate into the lane and find her for open shots on the perimeter.
Led by senior point guard Kelsey Corbin's 11 assists, the Cardinals' three-guard backcourt combined for 18 dishes. Bolte, who finished 5-of-7 from behind the 3-point arc for 15 points, said she couldn't have made an impact without receiving the open looks Corbin's crew provided.
"They make my shot," Bolte said. "I just shoot it; they're the ones who get me open. If they don't penetrate and kick, I just stand there and look like a fool."
Freshman Audrey McDonald complimented Bolte's shooting, going 3-for-6 from behind the arc and finishing with 14 points. The duo played a considerable amount of time on the floor together and Roller said that lineup gave the Cardinals a lot of options offensively.
"It helps us out a lot when they're on like they were [Wednesday]," Roller said. "It's really hard to guard those two, especially when you have a penetrator like Kelsey complimenting them. You don't have to have much of an offense when you just penetrate and kick out to the perimeter."
In the post, Lisa Rusche outplayed Central Michigan's leading scorer Ann Skufca on both ends of the floor. Skufca scored 19 points and added five rebounds. Rusche counterattacked with her fifth double-double of the year, scoring 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
"Lisa is defined by confidence and when she is confident she is scary good," Roller said. "In my opinion, Lisa is one of the best post players in this league. She got started early and continued throughout the game. I think she's got some confidence now after this game for sure."
While Skufca scored 19 points, the Chippewas' second-leading scorer was Candace Wilson with 10. Central Michigan's second-leading scorer on the season is Sharonda Hurd, who has averaged 11 points per game. However, the Cardinals held Hurd to six points in the contest.
"Our ball pressure in the backcourt was tremendous," Roller said. "We had some letdowns [with Skufca] but when we controlled [the other players defensively] instead of them controlling us they couldn't get in their sets. Our guards did a good job keeping them from getting into their offense."
The win came after the Cardinals failed to clinch a 20-win season and a share of the division title Saturday against Western Michigan University. However, Bolte said it was better for the Cardinals to win Wednesday at home.
"We played really flat at Western Michigan and that wasn't the team that deserved to get [the milestones]. This was the team that deserved to get it," Bolte said. "Getting the division title was a big [goal] for us this year. We got the title the year before I got here and we haven't gotten it since. We've been hungry for this because it's been three years coming for [the seniors]."
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