It was 260 days ago when Ball State knocked the Indiana StateSycamores out of the WNIT in a 91-87 overtime win. They'll seekrevenge Saturday at the Hoosier State Classic.
Ball State (4-2) comes into the match with a four-game winningstreak, while Indiana State (2-1) has won its last two games.
The Cardinals won that WNIT game with the help of Tamara Bowie's40 points, which they won't have this weekend.
The Cardinals, however, could use them. Indiana State averages88 points per game; Ball State averages 79.7.
"I didn't think we could ever find someone who scores like wedo, but we found them," head coach Tracy Roller said. "It's goingto be a flat-out shoot-out.
"Indiana State has a lot to play for. These games scare theyou-know-what-out of me."
Ball State should be equipped for a shoot-out. Junior KateEndress leads the team, averaging 18.3 points per game, and seniorJohna Goff averages 14.5.
The Cardinals will also have to control the ball as IndianaState runs a lot of press. Ball State averages 17.3 turnovers pergame, but the Sycamores have forced an average of 29.3 turnoversper game on their opponents this season.
"Their defense turns into offense for them," Roller said. "Wedon't have much time to get ready for it."
Ball State will also need to control the balanced attack fromSycamore's five players averaging double-figure scoring: seniorErin Rhodes, who averages 15; freshman Stephanie Lisch, whoaverages 12; and three who average 10.3 points per game.
Saturday's game will serve as a homecoming for Ball Stateadministrative assistant Jeanette Gray, who is a native ofValparaiso and also played for Valparaiso University the last fouryears. Last year at the Hoosier State Classic, Valparaiso defeatedthe Cardinals in large part because of Gray's 18 points in the88-82 defeat.
Roller will also experience a homecoming. She grew up near CrownPoint and spent three years as an assistant coach atValparaiso.
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