Although the Ball State University women's basketball team won its exhibition game 75-69 against the Hoosier Lady Stars, coach Kelly Packard wants her team to improve on defense for the future.
"I was most disappointed early on in our defensive intensity," Packard said. "We just really came out soft. We've practiced much better than that."
Packard said the team didn't play defense well or take up the Hoosier's space because of a lack of focus. The team needs to get mentally tough and embrace playing tough defense, she said, but it isn't tough right now.
"It's a desire and it's a commitment to be a good defender, and we don't have everybody embracing that yet," she said.
The Hoosier Lady Stars had a 45.6 shooting percentage.
Packard said the whole game wasn't a "mess," and she was pleased with the team's shooting, although she said she didn't want her team to become too dependent on shooting.
"Like I told them though, 'You're counting on your shooting to bail you out of a mess,'" she said. "And I don't want us to rely on that."
The team made 12 3-pointers and shot 44.4 percent from behind the three-point line. The team made four of its 12 3-point shots in the last four-and-half minutes of the second half.
Packard said she wants to see her team become less hesitant to make transition passes. The team scored four points off fast breaks, and Packard said she would like to see that number increase.
The Hoosier Lady Stars was a talented team, she said. Three former Ball State players played for the Hoosier Lady Stars, including former center Lisa Rusche.
"I probably wasn't convinced they would be in the shape they were in," she said. "Overall, for an exhibition team, they were in shape, they worked well together and definitely had some shooters."
Forward Danielle Gratton was the leading scorer, making eight out of 16 field goal attempts and all four 3-point attempts. This is Gratton's first season with Ball State after transferring from the University of Illinois.
Packard said Gratton is a gifted offensive player and a delight to watch.
Gratton said every point she got came off a screen.
"It was just nice to be out there with the team and play with my girls," she said.
Five things to take away1. Packard said freshman guard Amber Clark was out because of a ruptured disc. Clark received an injection this week to relieve the inflammation. Packard said she doesn't know when Clark will be able to play.
2. Junior forward Danielle Gratton led the team by shooting 8 of 16 field goal attempts.
3. The team shot 12 3-pointers and shot 44.4 percent from behind the three-point line.
4. Coach Packard was disappointed with the team's defense. The Hoosier Lady Stars had a 45.6 shooting percentage in the game.
5. Ball State scored four points off fast breaks. Packard said she wants to see the number increase.
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