After experiencing a tougher-than-anticipated challenge from the Hoosier Lady Stars Friday, Ball State women's basketball coach Tracy Roller said her team has to improve before its season opener in eightdays.
"I'm glad we're not playing in the MAC Championship Game right now," Roller said following her team's 75-68 win. "We have some players that still need to learn our system, but we pulled out a win and you have to be happy with that."
Roller said the competitive game would pay dividends down the stretch for her team, which is the preseason favorite to win the MAC Championship.
"I would rather have a close preseason game than a blowout anytime," Roller said. "I was very impressed with our composure down the stretch."
All five Cardinals starters scored in double figures, led by sophomore guard Audrey McDonald's 17 points. However, Ball State finished with five points off the bench, all from freshman forward Emily Maggert.Each starter played at least 28 minutes, while Maggert's 15 minutes were the most of any bench player.
Roller said the bench needs to continue to improve, but in the second half she was primarily concerned with winning.
"In an exhibition game, you're trying to get into a rotation that you can feel comfortable with," Roller said. "In the first half we gave a lot of kids a lot of minutes, but in the second half I just wanted to win. [The bench players] need to get minutes and those guys will get minutes, and they have to get better. But I'm not concerned with that right now."
Junior guard Porchia Green played all but one minute, and largely generated the team's energy on both ends of the court. Green, aPreseason All-Mac West team selection, scored 14 points and added nine rebounds and a team-high six assists.
The junior said one of her primary concerns is to set the tempo for her team while she is on the floor.
"We all bring something to the court, and one thing I think I bring is energy to pump us up when we're down," Green said.Green used her defense to spark fast break opportunities for Ball State. The junior finished with a team-high four blocked shots and two steals.
Despite her offensive performance, Green said she was most pleased with her production on the defensive end of the floor.
"I've got something to prove this year," Green said, alluding to being passed over for MAC Defensive Player of the Year last season. "I do take pride in my defense, but my teammates were there to help me tonight. That's why I was able to get those blocks."
Ball State will play a closed scrimmage at Purdue next week before opening its season Nov. 10 with a home game against Louisville. Senior forward Julie DeMuth, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, said she was satisfied with the team's performance in its first game of the season.
"We didn't play excellent by any means, but we didn't play horribleeither," DeMuth said. "We really just need to keep improving, and Iknow we'll do that."
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