BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - As the careers ended for three senior members of the Ball State University women's basketball team in Tuesday night's 71-57 loss to Iowa State University, one freshman might have had her own national coming out party.
Freshman forward Jade Barber had a career-high 13 points and added six rebounds against the fourth-seeded Cyclones in front of a national audience watching on ESPN2.
"[Barber has] developed; she's come a long way since we had her in the first day of individual workouts," coach Kelly Packard said. "I think what better way to finish her freshman year than to come in in the NCAA tournament and really give your team a lift."
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said his team was surprised with the play of Barber, who came into the game averaging three points and 2.2 rebounds per game in a reserve role.
"I think that's why you look at a Ball State team that's so well-coached that they put her in the game. They knew the kid could contribute," Fennelly said.
"We had a hard time guarding her - she's left-handed, long, scored around the goal, made some shots, altered some shots defensively, so I thought that without question she was the biggest difference."
Barber's dirty work effort in the paint was apparent throughout several portions of the game.
At one point, with 16:43 remaining in the second half, Barber and an Iowa State defender became tied up for a loose ball, and as the referees blew their whistles to signify a won jump ball for the Cardinals, Barber was shoved to the ground with ball in hand. In an act of strength, Barber then tossed the ball behind her head.
"Jade has matured," senior guard Porchia Green said. "Jade played her heart out today, and I give her a lot of credit because she's come a long ways - watch out for her in the future."
For Green and fellow senior guards Kiley Jarrett and Dana Moorman, the loss to the Cyclones begins a new chapter in life.
But the legacy the trio leaves behind - an 81-44 (.648) overall record, including a 49-15 (.766) record in Mid-American Conference play and the school's first-ever MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, as well as a first-round 16-point upset of basketball powerhouse University of Tennessee - will not soon be forgotten.
"I wouldn't change it for the world - it's been a great experience at Ball State," a smiling Green said following her last game as a Cardinal. "I go back, I feel like the mayor in Muncie, everyone greets me going down the street and everything. Great teammates, great coaching staff. I wouldn't change anything, it's been a great place to be at Ball State."
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