With two key games at Worthen Arena this week, the Ball State women's basketball team is looking to protect its home court.
Senior Kate Endress said because of the high level of parity in the Mid-American Conference, protecting the home court is a must.
Tonight the Cardinals (6-9, 2-2) face Northern Illinois (5-9, 2-1). Endress said the young team is starting to learn how important it is to play well at home.
"I think with the hellacious trip to Toledo, where we got stuck there all week, and then a really long trip to Buffalo," she said, "they're starting to understand."
So far this season, Northern has had more success on the road (3-3) than at home, where it's won just one game.
Wednesday's matchup features two teams that play different styles. Northern is a defensive team that averages 56.3 points per game, while BSU averages 73 points per game. Head coach Tracy Roller said not allowing Northern to slow the game down will be a key.
Northern is led by Stephanie Raymond who is averaging 16.1 points per game, which ranks sixth in the MAC. Raymond also leads the team in rebounding with 6.4 per game.
"She's playing really well right now and she's playing with a lot of confidence," Roller said.
Roller said Ball State will also have to play well in the post if it wants to overcome Northern, but thinks her team will be able to do just that.
"Whenever I've challenged the post players, they've stepped up this year," she said.
The Cardinals are led by Endress in the post. Besides her team leading 7.1 rebounds, she also averages 16.7 points per game. Freshman Julie DeMuth is also playing well as of late. She averages 6.1 rebounds per game and 6.9 points.
In conference games DeMuth is averaging 9.3 rebounds, tied for the fifth in the MAC.
"I think at this time of year there's no such thing as a freshman," Endress said. "She is playing really well for us and we need her to."
After the next two home games, Ball State will have a stretch where it plays five of seven games on the road, so getting victories now is crucial.
"We're in a good position this week with two home games," Endress said, "so we need to take care of business."
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