More than two years and 60 games have passed since the last time the women's basketball team has lost two games in a row. In between these losses, the team has gotten its first buy into the Mid-American Conference Tournament, won its first MAC crown, registered more than 20 wins for the first time in school history, and has had the school's first postseason berth.
The Cardinals (15-7, 9-3 MAC) are facing a two-game losing streak following a loss at Marshall on Saturday. But as the team attempts to get back in the hunt for the MAC West title, it must find a way to beat Bowling Green (10-12, 3-8) on the road in an arena in which the Falcons defeated the No. 1 team in the West, Toledo, two weeks ago.
"I was pretty nervous the first time we played, so of course I still am," head coach Tracy Roller said. "Needless to say they are very deadly. Everyone in the conference right now is knocking people off. (Going to Bowling Green) really is a scary thing. We can only hope to go their and steal one on the road."
Against Marshall, the Cardinals allowed nine 3-point baskets against the worst 3-point shooting team in the MAC. Roller said that if the Cardinals struggle to defend the perimeter against Bowling Green, the team will suffer a defeat much worse than the 17-point loss it suffered to Marshall.
"For us we should feel relieved, most teams have been pounding it in a post," Roller said. "And at least against Bowling Green, we won't have to worry about that. They are much more perimeter-oriented."
The Cardinals beat the Falcons by more than 25 points when the two teams met earlier this season, but the lopsided score did not illustrate just how close the game was, as the Falcons held a one-point lead at halftime. The Bowling Green surge was due to the Falcons converting on their quick-strike and fast break opportunities coupled with hot shooting, which is the same way they beat Toledo two weeks ago.
But as much as the game could turn into a shootout as it did when the teams met the first time, Roller said she has a feeling that the game is not going to come down to hits the most shots, but who can play the best defense.
"We've had a good week of practice and we are more focused," Roller said. "For us to not let that type of a run (that Bowling Green had in the first game), we have to key in on their shooters.
"We've played a more personel-directed defense. This time we are adjusting to them as a defense and not individually. We are going to have to mix up the way we're guarding but really against Bowling Green, we can just limit the shots they take."
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