Behind the combined efforts of sophomore guard Brandy Woody, junior guard Shanee' Jackson and senior co-captain forward Suzanne Grossnickle, Ball State snapped its five-game losing skid, cruising to a 75-56 triumph over its cross-divisional rival Kent State on Wednesday night.
"[We're] just getting them to move through the disappointing losses and hang on to the facts that we are getting better," coach Kelly Packard said, following the game. "I just loved the fight and the effort that we showed and tonight was certainly rewarding. It was just awesome to see them play the way they did tonight."
The Cardinals (8-14, 3-6) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after a pair of 3-point field goals from freshman guard Brittany Carter and Woody.
Woody, who averaged just more than five points per game on the season, turned in a career-high 13-point performance, including a 10-point first half.
The offense remained hot for the Cardinals, who went on a 12-0 run with 13:10 to play in the opening half.
By halftime, the Cardinals held a comfortable 21-point lead while shooting more than 60 percent from the field.
"We have spent more time shooting the ball at practice and have done some things different offensively," Packard said. "I think more than anything, [we need to keep] reminding them that we need to get a [little] better in each category to win a game. Once they get confident and those first couple of shots go, it gets contagious."
But the final 20 minutes almost cost the visiting team. The Golden Flashes opened the second half with a 14-to-1 run. Before the Cardinals could catch their breath, their lead was narrowed down to five after Golden Flashes' freshman guard Itziar Llobet sank a long-range jumper from beyond the arc.
Right when the momentum appeared to shift toward the home team, the Cardinals regained their offensive groove. Grossnickle and Jackson combined for 21 second-half points, which sealed the game for the visiting team from Muncie.
Above all else, Packard was proud of the way her team responded under adversity.
"I'm just really proud that they haven't gotten discouraged to the point of feeling defeated," Packard said. "They have believed that all of their hard work has been paid off."
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