The schedule says that the Ball State women’s basketball team is on a two-game winning streak.
While that is true, it hasn’t been easy, especially offensively.
During its last winning streak from Jan. 19 to Feb. 7, Ball State averaged 67 points per game. Throughout the previous two games, its average has dropped to just 60; however, the offensive problems are more prevelant in the first halves of games.
On Saturday’s win against Northern Illinois, Ball State scored just 20 points in the game’s first 20 minutes.
“There’s no doubt that we need to be more consistent from half to half,” Ball State coach Brady Sallee said.
One consistent aspect of Ball State’s team has been its defense.
It currently ranks third in the Mid-American Conference in points allowed to conference teams, at 53.8. The two teams ahead of Ball State on the defensive rankings, Toledo and Bowling Green, are a combined 20-6 in the MAC. Both teams have beaten Ball State this season.
“The overriding factor seems to be that we know our defense is where we want it and we’re almost playing a little bit too careful on offense, knowing our defense is going to keep us in it,” Sallee said. “We just have to play with a little more confidence.”
Sallee also said his team is playing too patiently in the first half of games.
“We defend well enough to keep us in games,” Sallee said. “We feel like if we keep defending, the offense is going to come.”
A reason that could be given for Ball State’s struggles against Eastern Michigan on Feb. 20 is the style of defense that Eastern Michigan plays, which is a zone-style defense.
“They got us playing sideways, which is not a good equation against the way they defend,” Sallee said after the 56-34 win.
Junior forward Katie Murphy said Eastern Michigan’s defense is difficult to simulate in a practice situation.
Ball State will need to find a first-half offense quickly. It faces Central Michigan Thursday night on the road. Ball State scored 68 points in the last game on Feb. 7.
Central Michigan currently has the No. 2 offense in the MAC, averaging 74.6 points per game.
A win would put Ball State in sole possession of second place in the conference.
“This is kind of a lot of these kids’ first rodeos in this situation,” Sallee said. “It’ll be interesting to see how we react. It’ll be good for us to go through this, and we’ll come out of it better players for sure.“
MARGE
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 28
7 p.m. at Central Michigan
Offensive Ranking: 2nd
Sunday, March 3
2 p.m. vs. Western Michigan
Offensive Ranking: 8th
Wednesday, March 6
7 p.m. at Toledo
Offensive Ranking: 3rd
