The Ball State University women's basketball team plays host to Northern Illinois University tonight as the Cardinals try to hang on in middle of the Mid-American Conference West Division standings and host a first-round MAC Tournament game.
Chief reporter and women's basketball beat writer Daniez Sipocz breaks down the matchups in tonight's Ball State-Northern Illinois matchup:
Frontcourt:
Emily Maggert averages a double-double for the season and is an All-MAC caliber player for Ball State. Maggert puts up 18 points and 11 boards a game. That said, Maggert can't do it alone. Mauvolyene Adams averages 13 points and 8 boards a game for Northern Illinois. Maggert gets help from Danielle Gratton who averages nine points a game while Adams doesn't get much help in the front court.
Advantage: Ball State
Backcourt:
Marke Freeman averages 17.5 points a game to lead the Huskies. Ball State doesn't have a guard that puts out that kind of production. What Ball State does have is a savvy veteran leader in Audrey McDonald who averages 11 points a game. Shannon Klei, Ty'Ronda Benning and Patrice King will also see action for Ball State. A product of nearby Fishers, Ind., guard Kylie York, returns to the home state averaging nine points a game for Northern Illinois and has the motivation of wanting to play well in front of friends and family.
Advantage: Push
Bench:
Ball State can play 10 players or deeper in certain situations. Klei, King, Mercedes Miller, Jade Barber and Shanee' Jackson have all been brought on the floor in recent weeks by Packard to alleviate pressure placed on starters by playing a majority of the minutes. The Huskies seem to have the same ability for a limited amount of time, but lack the same production.
Advantage: Ball State
Confidence:
Neither team are having a very good season. Ball State has 11 wins while Northern Illinois has 10. Both are toward the bottom of the MAC standings, yet, despite a six game losing streak, the Cardinals have stayed unified and haven't throw their season away. Northern Illinois upset MAC West-leading Toledo at home in its previous game, so confidence will be high — perhaps as likely as an opportunity for a letdown.
Advantage: Ball State
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