Mistakes and shortcomings have plagued the Ball State University women's basketball team all season long. Despite this, the Cardinals have proven they can play with the best of the Mid-American Conference.
This includes the University of Toledo (21-6, 11-3 MAC) who Ball State defeated 73-69 in Muncie Jan. 17. Since then, Ball State (12-15, 6-8 MAC), however, has struggled with MAC foes.
But, at last, the tide may be turning in favor of the Cardinals. Winners of three of its last four, Ball State enters today's showdown at MAC West Division champion Toledo with renewed confidence and a bit of a swagger.
"I'm certainly glad that we're through the really tough spots. You know, we've weathered the tough spots and now we're a team that's gaining confidence each day. Now we get to go to Toledo," said coach Kelly Packard. "For once, the pressure will be off us. There was a ton of pressure when we went there last year, but this year I think everybody's going to write down on paper what they expect the margin to be something ridiculous. Now, I just hope we play relaxed because I think for one of the few times this season the pressure will be off us."
While the pressure may be on the Rockets to produce, the Cardinals will have to find ways to take pressure off junior forward Emily Maggert. Maggert, who averages 17.8 points and 10.9 rebounds a game, is dealing with the uncertainty of playing with a protective mask on her face to prevent any damage being done after being elbowed last weekend at Western Michigan University.
Maggert struggled earlier this week playing with the mask for the first time, scoring just six points.
As a result, Ball State will need Audrey McDonald, Ty'Ronda Benning and others to step up. McDonald, the all-time leader in 3-pointers made in the MAC, upped the ante Tuesday night when she dropped 26 points, including six 3-pointers, on Northern Illinois University. She averages 11 points a game while Benning chips in 10.
"Obviously it's a big game, not only for confidence for us going into the [MAC] Tournament, but I know as a team we're not necessarily looking to win," McDonald said. "We just want to get better."
Part of the plan to get better is to change up defensive looks as often as possible to confuse Toledo while soaking in the atmosphere of the Rockets' Savage Arena.
"We can go there [Toledo], play assertively, attack, mess around with more defensive strategies — all to, yes, try to win that game, but all to try to prepare for that next week [in the MAC Tournament]," Packard said. "I can remember last year at Toledo when they had more than 4,000 fans. What I said to our team last year was, ‘This is the MAC Tournament environment a week early.' That's a real benefit to be in that type of a situation a week before our tournament."
The Cardinals close out their schedule on Tuesday at Worthen Arena against Central Michigan University, but have a test ahead of them with Toledo.
The team's goal has shifted from winning games now to preparing to make a run in the MAC Tournament, but by winning out Ball State would finish .500 in the MAC and just one game below .500 for the season, something that a month ago didn't seem possible.
"Obviously we want the win if it's there, but if we get better when we play Toledo in that kind of environment, that's a win for us," McDonald said.
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