Through the first month of the season, freshman Marie Kiefer wasn’t in the starting lineup for Ball State Women’s Basketball (14-7, 7-4 in MAC). Saturday afternoon, she put up a double-double in grand fashion.
24 points and 12 rebounds made up the performance, along with three steals and two blocks on defense. Kiefer’s play along with all four other Cardinals' starters scoring in double figures led the Ball State to a 91-80 victory over Bowling Green (10-9, 5-5 in MAC).
“Last time we played them it wasn’t the best,” Kiefer said. “We all struggled, myself in particular. I knew I had to go out and prove myself and be tough.”
Jan. 1, 2022, the Cardinals were beaten handily by the Falcons 82-58. Compared to the previous game, the Cardinals scored a season-high 91 points today, on 63% shooting. The Cardinals outrebounded the Falcons, forced 17 turnovers and scored 44 points in the paint, whereas the last game against the Falcons the Cardinals were beaten in all categories.
“Our players have listened to how you have to win games,” head coach Brady Sallee said. “Rebounding, being the toughest team and being disruptive.”
Kiefer said it is important to her that she doesn’t just focus on scoring but having an impact on both sides of the court. Not only for her game but the success of the team.
“You can’t just win games on offense,” Kiefer said. “You have to make stops and play defense too.”
Freshman Ally Becki had 15 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Becki said filling out the stat sheet and not just scoring is important to her.
“It’s fun to score, Marie had 24 points [and] that’s amazing, but when you get other people involved, I feel like that adds to the value of a win,” Becki said.
With this win, the Cardinals have now won five straight games, all in Mid-American Conference play. Since redshirt junior Anna Clephane got injured on Jan. 9, the Cardinals are 6-2.
In Clephane’s absence from the game, Sallee said he has been impressed with how his team handled this adversity.
“When Anna went down, this team showed how much heart it has,” Sallee said. “I think there’s a part of her in every one of us now. It takes a village in these moments.”
As the Cardinals' play has increased, Sallee said he can see the bond between players develop on the floor.
“You’re seeing a team that’s trusting each other and that is connected,” Sallee said. “Now we’re starting to find out how to get to that second level.”
Sallee made it clear that he knows how important these wins are, but he said to not focus on the streak, rather one individual win after the other.
“It’s fun, but you can’t get on the roller coaster,” Sallee said. “You’re never quite as good as you think you are and you’re never quite as bad as you think you are.”
Sallee, Becki and Kiefer all spoke about the Cardinals' identity.
“Playing every game like it’s our last,” Becki said.
The Cardinals return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 9 against Ohio University (11-7, 5-4 in MAC). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST in Muncie, Indiana at Worthen Arena.
Contact Kyle Smedley on Twitter @smedley1932 or via email at kyle.smedley@bsu.edu
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