Last year Wright State University beat Ball State University courtesy of a three-point heave at the buzzer.
The loss left the Cardinals feeling as though they let one get away against a team they should have beaten handily.
According to coach Tracy Roller, the team's mission is make sure history doesn't repeat itself.
"We know that we should've never put ourselves in that situation to get beat by a last-second shot," Roller said. "It was a tribute to Wright State and how they played us last year at their place. So, we have to just come focused and ready to play from the get-go."
Ball State will host the rematch this Saturday in the club's home opener, and the Cardinals aren't quick to claim their desire for victory in the name of revenge.
However, senior guard Kelsey Corbin said the team does feel like it owes the Raiders a payback.
"You try to forget who won and who lost last year," Corbin said. "But at that same time, there is that revenge factor. I think in the back of our heads we know that we owe them one. We didn't play our best basketball last year, and we should've walked away from that with a [win]. We're going to have to take things into our own hands so that they don't have a chance to win the game on a last-second three-pointer."
Perhaps it's best that there is a bitter taste in the Cardinals' mouth. Senior center Becca Bajorek said last year's disappointment has helped the team move on after a big win at the University of Michigan to start the year.
"We're really concentrating on the fact that we lost [at Wright State] last year," Bajorek said. "We deserve [a win], and we're going to get one this Saturday. The main focus this week has been to win."
Even still, Roller gave the club Tuesday off from practice so the Cardinals had an extra day to get over their first win against a Big Ten team in seven years. Roller said the strategy worked out well for her squad.
"I think the team got to use that one day to celebrate," Roller said. "It was a pretty big win. All of us got a lot of phone calls and text messages and e-mails congratulating us on that win. Then we got back after it [Wednesday], and from what I saw the team put its game face back on. That's what I love about this group - they're very focused and determined to concentrate the same on every game."
The home-court advantage should also pay huge dividends for Ball State. Under Roller's six year tenure with Ball State, the Cardinals have won 75% of their home games. Corbin said the Cardinals have established a mentality that makes them tough to beat at home.
"We really like playing here at [Worthen] Arena," Corbin said. "It's our home floor and we have to come out with the attitude that this is our house. I think that we have the squad that has that confidence. We're looking to make a good first impression [on our home fans] and walk away with our second win.
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