Entering the season, the main concern surrounding the Ball State University women's basketball team was how the Cardinals would replace Kate Endress' scoring. Endress led the Cardinals and Mid-American Conference at 18.5 points per game last year.
After two exhibition games and the regular season opener, the Cards have had little trouble on offense and are averaging 86 points per contest. Ball State scored 94 points against the Hoosier Lady Stars and notched 90 points against Murray State.
"The scary part is that we scored 90 points and we did more little things right defensively than we did offensively," coach Tracy Roller said. "We didn't really set up great screens and we didn't really run our break right. If we ever do it right, we'll be really scary."
Ball State will look to continue its offensive attack at 7 p.m. today when it plays Evansville at home.
The 90 points in the season opener were five points better than the Cardinals' highest-scoring game last season against Wagner at the season opener. Tina Bolte scored a career-high 27 points against Murray State, including hitting five 3-pointers. Julie DeMuth added four 3-pointers and scored 21 points.
"We have so many weapons on this team," Bolte said. "Anybody could go for 20 [points] a night, but defense is what's going to win us games."
Evansville enters having lost its first two games. The Purple Aces lost 54-46 to Marquette at home and fell 73-65 at Tennessee Tech Sunday.
"They will definitely be a good test for us," Roller said. "They play very similar to us +â-óGé¼" high scoring, push it up the floor, lots of ball screens, motion offense."
DeMuth said defense will be key to the Cardinals being successful.
"Evansville is a really good team," DeMuth said. "They have a lot of good shooters, and good players. They just play really hard."
Ball State will host its inaugural Ball State Credit Union Classic Saturday and Sunday. The Cardinals will play Lipscomb Saturday, with Georgetown and North Dakota State playing in the other match-up. The consolation game will be at noon Sunday and the championship game will be at 2 p.m.
"I want to really do well in that tournament," Roller said. "I'd like to give us a chance to be in the championship game and to win that thing. It would be a really good first goal."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
