Despite the combined 155 points scored in Ball State University's women's basketball team's 83-72 victory over Northern Illinois University, it was defense that won it for the Cardinals.
Ball State was able to hold the Huskie's Kristin Wiener to 10 points and three rebounds. The senior, who averages 15.2 points and eight rebounds a game, scored 21 and 18 in the Cardinals two regular season games.
"It was huge," forward Lisa Rusche said. "I prepare for every game the same. You know who their scorers are, you just have to go out and stop them"
Wiener was able to score the first four points for the Huskies, to give Northern a 4-3 lead, their only lead of the contest.
"She got a couple early looks and a couple offensive rebounds," coach Tracy Roller said. "I kind of got into some of our post players and I've got to give props to Becca Bajorek who came in a did a really good job on her defensively along with Lisa Rusche. I was really proud of our post players and how they handled it after that."
The Cardinals entered the game trying to focus on Wiener and fellow senior Stephanie Raymond. While Raymond was able to score 23 points, shutting down Wiener was huge for the Cardinals.
"You can't just be a one man team," Rusche said. "The results sort of speak for themselves."
Rusche and Bajorek spent the game guarding Wiener and, though she had only been held to 10 points or less five times this season, Wiener did not give too much credit to the Cardinals defense for shutting her down.
"I wouldn't say it was them," Wiener said. "It was one of those in-and-out, couple of bounces, on layups. It got physical at some points. Either way we didn't get calls, so you deal with it."
Rusche also had a good game statistically against the Huskies. The junior had nine points and 10 rebounds in the first two matchups combined but scored 12 points and brought down eight rebounds for the Cardinals.
"Shots will fall," Rusche said. "If you're slacking on offense other people will pick up for you, but if you stop their main people than everything will fall into place."
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