Don't let the conference standings and records fool you.
Ball State University's opponent in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Akron, finished with a 5-22 record on the season. However, when the Zips and the Cards squared off in late January at Worthen Arena, Ball State (16-11, 9-7 MAC) squeaked out a 67-66 win. It was Tina Bolte's 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining that gave the Cardinals the lead for good.
"We didn't play very well last time we played, and we know that," Bolte said. "This time around we just want to come out aggressive, really attack and play a full forty minutes of basketball and get some more momentum coming into Cleveland."
This will be the final home game for the lone senior on this year's team, Raechelle Hampton. She is averaging 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Hampton said the team will need to make the little plays if they are going to beat Akron on Saturday.
"We want to come out aggressive from the get go, and make all the hustle plays, get the loose balls, and out-rebound them," said Hampton, who scored four points against Akron in January.
The Zips are led by Jessie Crooks, who averages 14 points per game. Following her in the scoring department is Niki McCoy who scores and average 11.4 points per game and leads in rebounding with six per game. Coach Tracy Roller said she doesn't expect the Cardinals to underestimate Akron.
"They've had a lot of opportunities, but they haven't finished at the end of games," Roller said. "We got to get a good lead and we got to have good effort."
With Ball State getting the three seed in the MAC Tournament they will get to host the first-round game. Roller said the opportunity to host the game is important for the team.
"It's huge," Roller said. "Even more so than the bye, just with the young team, getting another chance to play at home is nice. With only one senior, it gives [Raechelle] another opportunity to play at home."
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