After a brutal and physical loss last week, the Ball State University women's basketball team got some much needed rest. The rest could have eased the aches and pains of a long season, but it also gave Ball State plenty of time to prepare for today's game at Western Michigan University.
"Everyone gets sore. I think it shows more late in the season," Emily Maggert said. "Everyone takes a fall with all the pushing and shoving underneath. You just got to recover quick and get back out there again."
Ball State defeated Western Michigan 70-55 Jan. 6 at Worthen Arena to kick off Mid-American Conference action. Since then, both teams have struggled. The Cardinals (10-15, 4-8 MAC) have been snake-bitten with troubles in different aspects of their game on different nights, making it difficult for coach Kelly Packard to find a solution.
"You just have to go back to the gym and work your butt off," Maggert said. "We just have to work on everything because the little things matter."
The Broncos (7-18, 2-10 MAC), on the other hand, have struggled to find the points to win games. Western Michigan averages 58.2 points a game while giving up 68.1.
The two teams face off for the 63rd time with the series lead going to the Broncos. Western Michigan leads 32-30.
Maggert continues to lead Ball State with 18.3 points a game and 10.9 rebounds. The junior forward has notched 16 double-doubles, ranking her third in the nation. Maggert also needs just 28 more rebounds to secure the best season performance on the boards at Ball State.
Senior guard Audrey McDonald averages 11.7 points a game and needs only nine points to climb past Porchia Green for 10th in the Ball State scoring annals. McDonald has also played more minutes than anyone else in program history.
The final four games of the season will be crucial for the Cardinals in jockeying for MAC Tournament positioning. As it stands, Ball State sits in position to host a first round tournament game by ranking ahead of Ohio, Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
A loss could prove to be the costly difference between hosting and playing on the road. The road has not been kind to the Cardinals this season, as evidenced by their 3-10 record away from Worthen Arena.
Free throws were the cause of defeat in the last outing for the Cardinals, indicating the confidence level still isn't as high as Packard wants.
"It casts doubt and peels back on the confidence that hasn't healed," Packard said. "We had our confidence shaken throughout the season."
Read More
Ball State falls to Richmond, finishes 2-1 in Gulf Coast Showcase
By Zach Carter / 12 hours agoBall State fell to Richmond as the Cardinals finished the Gulf Coast Showcase 2-1 and now have an overall record of 3-5.
Wapahani defeats Muncie Central in season opener
By Zach Carter / YesterdayWapahani junior Camden Bell led the Raiders with 18 pointers as the red and white defeated Muncie Central 51-27.
Yorktown downs Delta 47-46 in thriller
By David Moore / YesterdayYorktown takes down Delta in rivalry thriller 47-46
