Ball State’s main focus going into its game against the Detroit Mercy Titans was to limit Shareta Brown’s impact by throwing constant double teams at her.
It worked, as they held her to just 18 points in the game, five points in the second half and two in overtime as Ball State won 73-64. Brown was averaging just over 23 points going into the game.
“The whole key was keeping the ball out of her hands,” Ball State coach Brady Sallee said. “From the get-go, that was the game plan.”
One of the main players responsible for limiting Brown’s impact was freshman forward Nathalie Fontaine. Fontaine was constantly putting herself between Brown and the ball in half-court sets to deny passing lanes to Brown in the paint.
Fontaine’s size and long arms frustrated Brown, as Fontaine out-jumped her several times to pull down rebounds.
Fontaine also matched Brown on offense, putting up 18 of her own and made her presence felt down inside the paint.
Sallee’s game plan revolved around forcing the Titans' perimeter players to shoot instead of dumping it to Brown. The strategy worked, as Detroit shot just 8-31 from the three point line.
“We were going to take our chances with some other players on their team,” Sallee said. “If they hit shots, and a lot of them, we’re probably in trouble.”
Detroit often seemed lost during the rare moments when Brown wasn’t on the court. She played 38 of 45 minutes and was always the focal point of the offense.
When Detroit couldn’t get the ball inside to her, its offense slowed significantly. It often resulted in possessions where Detroit passed the ball around the perimeter and had to settle for three point shots with the shot clock expiring.
“I wasn’t even watching the kids shooting it,” Sallee said. “I was watching Brown because that’s where the ball had to stay away from.”
Sallee said he was pleased with how his team trusted in his system and the game plan for playing aggressive defense against Brown.
“Our kids did a great job of just following through, having faith and trust,” Sallee said. “They did it to perfection and I imagine that a lot of teams getting ready to play [Detroit Mercy] will want to see this game film."
Sallee was asked if he let out a sigh of relief when Brown fouled out of the game in overtime.
“Did she foul out?” Sallee said.
