Disappointment and frustration was all that was left when the dust settled Tuesday night when Ball State University fell to Central Michigan University.
Sure, there were positives with forward Emily Maggert eclipsing the 1,000 point mark for her career and the offense recording 80 points, but the negatives outweighed the positives for Ball State University Coach Kelly Packard and her team. Ball State fell to 7-8, 2-1 on the season, but may get a break from a challenging schedule Friday when they host Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (3-15).
While Ball State enters the game coming off a loss, SIU-E comes into Friday's contest riding a win. The Cougars 56-53 victory at Northern Kentucky University snapped a nine-game losing streak. They started the month of December out with a win over the University of Missouri-Kansas City before hitting a dry spell.
Entering Friday's matchup at Worthen Arena, Ball State has registered a 4-2 record at home. Meanwhile, SIU-E has struggled on the road. The Cougars have posted a 1-8 mark in road contests. The 53 points the Cougars allowed to the Norse on Wednesday was the lowest total allowed by their defense on the road.
Like Ball State, SIU-E has three players averaging double digits in points. They are led offensively by forward Raven Berry who averages nearly 14 points a game. Guard Melia Duncan adds 11 and guard Ashley Bey chips in 10.5 points of her own.
Maggert, who has recorded nine double-doubles this season, leads Ball State offensively with 18.3 points a game and 11.3 boards. Guard Audrey McDonald tallies 11.4 points and forward Danielle Gratton adds 10.3 to fuel the Cardinal offense.
Offense may not be the story Friday night. The Cardinals have been working on defense, which has been their reason for concern recently after giving up 87 points to the Chippewas. After the game, Packard said the team had no commitment for defending the ball.
The Friday game against SIU-E will be a springboard for Ball State into Sunday's Mid-American Conference game against the University of Toledo (13-3, 3-0).
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