After dealing with adversity throughout its sub-par non-conference season, Ball State University's women's basketball team anticipated an opportunity for a fresh start in its Mid-American Conference opener Wednesday.
Before they could find their rhythm, however, the Cardinals fell behind 12-2 in the first five minutes against Western Michigan University. Instead of folding to the Broncos, Ball State took its slow start in stride, responding to earn an 84-70 road victory.
"This was just a great team win, and it felt good to put the non-conference behind us," junior captain Kiley Jarrett said. "We didn't really come out the way we should be playing. [Western Michigan] got off to a really quick start, but I think we adjusted well. We've been faced with adversity this season, so we know we can handle it during a game."
After trading leads with Western Michigan through the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Cardinals scored 17 unanswered points to open a 67-52 lead with 5:40 remaining in regulation.
Lisa McDonald, Ball State's acting head coach while Tracy Roller battles mononucleosis, said her team's explosion was long awaited.
"I think we've been ready to bust out for quite a while," McDonald said. "When our defense sets up our offense, we're a tough team to beat. We were pushing the ball in transition [during that stretch] and we got a lot of layups in the second half."
The Broncos led 31-22 with 56 seconds left in the first half, and it looked as though they would take a sizeable lead into intermission. However, Ball State scored eight unanswered points to end the half and trailed 31-30 after the first 20 minutes.
The Cardinals scored the first four points of the second half, taking their first lead of the game at 34-31 in the opening minutes of the period. Jarrett said her team's run spanning the two halves was a critical aspect in Wednesday's win.
"The outcome probably would've been different if we didn't have that run at the end of the first half," Jarrett said. "We had the momentum and we really came out and punched them in the mouth. We had a lot of energy and confidence coming out of the locker room. You could definitely tell the momentum was on our side."
Western Michigan forward Amanda Parker led the Broncos with 18 points and added four rebounds. Tiera DeLahoussaye added 14 points and a team-high eight assists and seven rebounds.
Freshman center Emily Maggert led Ball State with a career-high 24 points - on 9-of-10 shooting from the field - and added a team-high nine rebounds. Jarrett was second with 19 points - including 5-of-7 from behind the 3-point line - and junior guard Porchia Green recorded 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Senior forward Lisa Rusche rounded out the Cardinals' four double-figure scorers with 10 points.
Playing in her first MAC game, Maggert, who scored Ball State's first two points of the game, said her performance Wednesday night gave her a great confidence boost.
"I have been confident with my role this season," Maggert said. "But tonight made me realize I can really do this."
The win was Ball State's second consecutive in a conference opener and moved the Cardinals' season record to 5-9. After the slow start to the season, Jarrett said, Wednesday's victory should serve as a reminder that her team is still the reigning MAC West Division champions.
"Tonight gives us confidence that whatever happened before conference [season] doesn't matter anymore," Jarrett said. "We are the reigning champs and we're here to stay."
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