Eight players dressed to play for the Ball State University women's basketball team Saturday against the University of Evansville, while the Purple Aces dressed seven to play off of the bench.
Injuries made the Cardinals play without starting guard Kiley Jarrett and forced Julie DeMuth, their leading scorer, to appear 26 minutes in the 70-55 loss.
"We were disappointed with the loss," coach Tracy Roller said. "We knew going in that we were going to be playing without Kiley, we knew it was going to difficult for us. We had the offensive start and finish that we are looking for, but nothing in between."
Jarrett suffered a toe injury against Indiana State University Thursday, while DeMuth has battled troubled knees the majority of her career.
Kyleigh Jones received Jarrett's starting spot, scoring five points, four rebounds and two assists.
Ball State came out of the gates early with a 13-2 run led by two Audrey McDonald 3-pointers and a third trey by Porchia Green. The Cardinal lead soon slipped away as they were outscored 32-13 the rest of the half seeing a 34-26 halftime deficit.
The second half didn't fare any better for the Cardinals. In the first 15 minutes of the second frame, Evansville scored twice as many points as Ball State, leading the Cardinals to 3-7 on the season.
Lisa Rusche led the Cardinals in the loss off the back of her second straight double-double, with 16 points and 11 boards.
Ball State's fifth straight loss comes on 39 percent shooting and 24 turnovers, an aspect of the team that Rusche said will get better as the team gets healthy.
"The injuries definitely damaged our offense," Rusche said. "We are starting to see underclassmen stepping up and filling shoes. Basically, time will heal our injuries."
Entering the last stretch of a road trip when seven of their its eight games were away from Worthen Arena, the women's basketball team travels to Las Vegas on December 20 and 21 to play in the Lady Rebel Christmas Classic against Liberty University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Rusche said the road trip out west might be what the team needs to clear its heads and heal its injuries.
"We are excited about Vegas," Rusche said. "The lights and the city give us a chance to get out of Muncie and have some fun over break."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
