As the Ball State University women's basketball team was making its historic NCAA tournament run, student support remained scarce at local viewing spots.
With the second half of the game coming to a close after 11 p.m., three tables of students lingered at Scotty's Brewhouse, filling the room with subtle bursts of applause.
Senior telecommunications major Sarah McHie was one of them. She said the turnout was disappointing, especially considering what the team had recently accomplished.
"What they've done is more than any other Ball State team has done this year," she said.
McHie and fellow Ball State women's rugby team players watched the Sunday night game against the University of Tennessee at Scotty's as well.
Teammate Amber Dickman, a junior, called this season "awesome - the best one they've had in a while."
McHie agreed, saying there was nothing disappointing about the women's basketball team's performance against Iowa State University. She said she was proud of their performance, considering this was Ball State's first time playing a team of such high caliber.
"As a woman athlete, we feel people aren't as interested," McHie said. "It's harder to get the recognition."
Dickman said she thinks this season's performance by the basketball team will give the program a boost. Recruitment of freshmen and the ability of the new coach, Kelly Packard, look promising, she said.
The mellow atmosphere during Tuesday night's game was echoed across town at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Senior exercise science major Braxston Hogman came out with a table of friends to support the team.
"It's a good thing that we can represent Ball State through women's basketball," he said. "They're putting a new name for women's sports and doing something men's teams are usually known for."
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