With the recent success Ball State University's women's basketball program has experienced, expectations of coach Tracy Roller and her players have risen to the point where no loss is acceptable.
That mantra stays consistent, even after a 81-62 defeat to No. 21 Louisville, a team that participated in the NCAA Tournament last season and is led by reigning Big East Player of the Year, Angel McCoughtry. Saturday's loss was Ball State's first in a season opener since the 2003-04 season, and it dropped the program below .500 for the first time since Feb. 13, 2005, when the team was 11-12 after a 21-point loss to Marshall University.
Despite the disappointment in Ball State's first loss of the season, Roller said she knows her team put forth a good showing against a team from one of the toughest conferences in women's basketball.
"You're never pleased with a loss, but I'm one big Louisville fan right now," Ball State coach Tracy Roller said, implying Ball State's loss will better each time Louisville wins. "I felt good about some times during the game, but I'm not happy with the way we ended."
Louisville opened the contest in a full-court press, which resulted in two layups, a 6-0 lead and a quick Ball State timeout less than a minute into the game. Ball State recovered and took a 39-36 lead at halftime.
After the two teams went back-and-forth in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Louisville led 67-62 with less than six minutes remaining in regulation. At that point, Ball State's starting five had played the majority of the game, while Louisville used 10 players throughout the contest. Louisville scored the final 14 points of the game.
Other than the beginning and end of Saturday's game, Ball State senior captain Julie DeMuth said the team was satisfied with its performance.
"In the locker room coach Roller talked about how in the beginning we didn't do very well and at the end we didn't do very well, but in the bulk of the game we had the lead and everything was clicking," DeMuth said. "We're happy we had a good run, but we're not happy with the outcome."
Junior Porchia Green was responsible for McCoughtry on the defensive end of the floor. Green was in foul trouble for most of the second half, but finished with 14 points.
"I didn't worry about her being an All-American or anything," Green said. "But she was tough because she's taller, and she's quick and can shoot. I'm not used to playing against a player that has that whole combination."
Though it was a tough challenge to begin the 2007-08 campaign, Roller said Ball State's first game was a good indicator for where her team is at.
"I said it was a litmus test for us to see where we're at, and I really feel like we're about halfway there," Roller said. "... But I'm keeping it in perspective. It's game one, and there's a lot of games left to play."
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
