The women's basketball team is learning how to play in close games. Ball State University has played seven Mid-American Conference games this season, with five being decided by eight points or fewer.
The Cardinals' last two games have ended in one point margins. Ball State lost to Miami on two free throws with seconds remaining and beat Akron on a 3-pointer by Tina Bolte.
Coach Tracy Roller said the main reason for the close games is the parity of the conference.
"I think that is 95 percent of it," Roller said. "The other five percent is because we're young. We're learning how to be consistent, learning how to play on the road, learning the day-to-day things that you do when you play on the road."
Ball State (11-7, 4-3 MAC West) plays its next road game tonight at Ohio. The Bobcats (7-11, 4-3 MAC East) lead the MAC in 3-point percentage (38.0) and free throw percentage (74.3). Simone Redd leads the team with 14.8 points per game. Ohio is 3-4 at home this season, but has won its last two home games.
"They will have a great crowd," Roller said. "They do a great job of getting points in transition. And we are really struggling at stopping that."
As with every contest, Roller is looking for the Cardinals to play consistently throughout the entire game. With just two seniors on the team, the coaching staff has often had to remind the players of this.
"It's just a constant thing we have to explain in practice," Roller said. "We have been implying that a lot - that we need to play a full 40 minutes. It's a learning experience you go through as a team."
Freshman Kiley Jarrett made her first-career start on Saturday in place of injured Kelsey Corbin. Jarrett scored 13 points and had eight assists in 36 minutes.
Corbin, who missed the first game of her career, is expected to return tonight from tendinitis in her feet. She is averaging 9.0 points, 4.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game this season.
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
