Ball State Team Statistics
Field goal percentage: 54.4
Three-point percentage: 50.0
Free-throw percentage: 61.9
Rebounds: 34
Steals: 12
Blocks: 4
Assists: 24
Turnovers: 11
Freshman Moriah Monaco came off the bench for 20 minutes, but made the most of her minutes exploding for 19 points as Ball State tied its season-high in points in an 85-47 victory over Kent State Wednesday.
"We just had great flow on offense and I had the ball in great positions from my teammates." Monaco said.
Monaco was one of three Cardinals in double figures in the win. She also had four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Cardinals' offense and defense began to compliment one other, allowing them to play fast and loose, scoring 16 points off of fast breaks. A 54.4 field goal percentage showed that the offense was clicking on all cylinders. Ball State also made 10 three-pointers.
Junior Candyce Ussery missed just one shot in the game on her way to 16 points.
"I felt like we all really clicked tonight and it was a good shooting night for everyone," she said.
Season scoring leader Nathalie Fontaine added another double-double to her resume with 19 points and 10 rebounds. This performance puts her over the 250 point mark on the season.
Along with the offensive display, the Cardinals continued to show off how well their new defense has been working, as the full-court pressure was an issue for Kent State's offense. The defense produced 24 turnovers and 12 steals, resulting in 28 points off turnovers.
Ball State pulled away in the first half, leading 40-22 at the break. Early in the second half, the Cardinals stole the ball on six straight possessions.
"We knew with our style of play that, whether I like it or not, we would give up a layup here and there," head coach Brady Sallee said. "But we were able to continue to play hard and play fast like we wanted."
No matter the score, Ball State continued the hard play that has led it to four straight wins.
One play that Sallee said was "pretty impressive" was while up 30, senior Shelbie Justice dove for a ball out of bounds and threw it to teammate Frannie Frazier for a big layup.
"It shows that we aren't looking at the scoreboard," Sallee said. "We play with our whole heart no matter what."
The win improves Ball State to 8-7 on the season, the first time all year with a winning record. The Cardinals also remain undefeated in the Mid American Conference with a 4-0 record.
The Cardinals will hit the road again Jan. 17 to battle with Buffalo (8-7; 1-3 MAC).
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