WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Cards show improvement in win

Coming off Thursday's 20-point loss to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, coach Kelly Packard was pleased with her team's performance.

"Even more valuable than the win today was the tremendous improvements by some individuals today," Packard said. "We saw some people show leadership and we communicated well."

Packard was also pleased with the victory over the Redbirds, considering the Cardinals 91-68 loss last season in Normal, Ill.

Ball State won the turnover battle, committing 17 to Illinois State's 19. At one point in the game, the Cardinals had 10 consecutive offensive possessions without a turnover.

In a high-scoring contest, Ball State got help from everyone that entered the game with eight players scoring. Junior guard Ty'Ronda Benning and junior forward Emily Maggert led the Cardinals with 22 and 21 points, respectively.

Sophomore forward Jade Barber made all four of her field goal attempts and recorded three blocks. She also gave the Cardinals an emotional lift when she came on the court.

"All season we have been trying to find an emotional person to feed on and trying to find someone that it comes naturally to," Packard said. "That's the kind of person Jade is our players are feeding off her energy."

The Cardinals take the week off because of finals week, but Maggert says the win helps take pressure off the week.

"This is an excellent win and we've needed it for awhile," Maggert said. "Not having to worry about our record during finals really helps."

Maggert was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week on Monday. She averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds in two games last week. It is Maggert's second weekly award in her career.