Last year, senior Shala Crook had the opportunity to secure her team's first Mid-American Conference tournament game by hitting two free throws in overtime. However, she missed them both and the Cardinals made an early trip home, leaving what Crook called "unfinished business."
More "unfinished business" for the Cardinals is expected when they face Eastern Michigan tonight in the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Eagles (18-10) defeated the Cardinals (21-6) 76-75 in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Feb. 16.
"When you're up by 18 you expect to win," Crook said. "But when they come back from so many, and then to hit a shot at the buzzer, it was the dagger in the heart."
The momentum is in favor of the Eagles, as they have beaten the top three teams in the MAC West - Ball State, Toledo and Western Michigan - in the last two weeks. Still, Eastern head coach Suzy Merchant is not so sure they have any advantage coming into the game and is more worried about trying to stop Ball State's offensive attack.
"You're only as hot as your last game," Merchant said. "Ball State is a very talented team, and they have proven they can be just about anybody.
"We probably made them mad after our last game," Merchant said. "(But) emotions play a big part in the game this time of the year. And we're out to prove that game was no fluke, and I'm sure they're out to prove it was."
The Eagles used a zone defense to shut down the Cardinal offense. But Ball State head coach and MAC Coach of the Year Tracy Roller said she feels the Cardinals have worked out a lot of the problems that have plagued the team against zone defenses all season.
"We know whoever plays us next is going to have their best game," Roller said.
Crook, who was named Defensive Player of the Year Tuesday night, may have the toughest task as she will guard All-MAC First Team selection Stephanie Smiley. Smiley has more than a three-inch height advantage over Crook and has controlled the rebounding over the smaller Ball State guards. Still, Crook said she feels she can use her quickness to subdue the opposition and neutralize the threat of Smiley.
"We owe them one," junior Tamara Bowie said. "We know they're going to come ready to play and they're going to want to beat us again. It's going to be a battle."
Roller said the Cardinals will compete with a sense of urgency.
"There can't be any more slow starts, there can't be any more no second halfs.... We have to play for the whole game, or our season is over."
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