After a two-game road swing, the Ball State University women's basketball team returns to the winning surroundings of Worthen Arena to take on the University of North Dakota in a non-conference game.
The Cardinals (12-7, 5-1 MAC) cannot gain position or slide in the Mid-American Conference standings against the Fighting Sioux (10-9), but coach Kelly Packard said she looks at the game as an opportunity for her team to progress.
"My emphasis for [tonight] is really going to be on the fact that we have to continue getting better each game if you are going to position yourself for a strong finish," Packard said. "It's a basketball game that requires us to continue to focus on fundamentals and scout strategy and to continue to improve."
Packard said a part of improving is "allowing our freshmen to give more contribution and to feel more confident." Freshman forward Jade Barber contributed in Ball State's last win against the University of Akron. Barber had eight points and three blocks in 20 minutes of play.
Although at time being "somewhat inconstant", Packard said Barber is implementing many things that are asked of her and sees her confidence rising as a player.
"Certainly coming off of Saturday, you can very much expect that she is going to get an early call in the game [tonight] to get on the floor and contribute," Packard said.
North Dakota comes into the game just above .500, but is struggling away from its home court. The Fighting Sioux are 2-7 when not playing at the Sioux Center.
Ball State have won all but one of its non-conference games in Worthen Arena this season, with the one loss coming to Temple University in December.
North Dakota is led by senior forward Kierah Kimbrough. Kimbrough leads the team in points per game with 19.6, rebounds per game with 7.5, blocks per game with 2.7 and field goal percentage, shooting .571 from the floor.
Though this is the first meeting of the two teams, both Ball State and North Dakota have played Eastern Michigan University and the University of Toledo this season. Ball State beat Eastern Michigan 62-55 and Toledo 67-53. North Dakota beat Eastern Michigan 80-71 in its first game of the season but lost to Toledo 68-60.
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