The stakes are high for the Ball State University women's basketball team. Having lost two Mid-American Conference games in 2010, the same amount they lost all last season, the Cardinals look to figure out how to win on the road at Kent State University Saturday.
The road is where Ball State has struggled most, going 3-7 and having dropped the last two MAC contests on the road.
'Our biggest struggle is playing on the road. We haven't played well on the road this season,' coach Kelly Packard said. 'Our record shows that.'
Ball State (9-9, 3-2 MAC) has struggled on the road, in particular, defensively. The Cardinals' offense has put up 67 points per game away from Worthen Arena, just two points shy of their season average. Defensively is a different story.
On defense Ball State has allowed 72.5 points a game. That fact is not lost on Packard or the team, especially after allowing Eastern Michigan University (14-3, 4-1) to have multiple offensive possessions that used the entire shot clock Wednesday night.
'You get emotionally worn out by playing defense for 28 seconds and then again for 25,' senior guard Audrey McDonald said Wednesday night after the loss to Eastern Michigan.
While junior forward Emily Maggert leads the team offensively with a double double, 18.6 points and 11 rebounds a game, it will be the team defense that will decide whether or not Ball State upends Kent State (10-7, 3-2 MAC).
'We need to address our mentality on the road. I feel like I did this week,' Packard said. 'But there's so much I can't do physically such as stepping on the court.'
Intensity and determination are two things Packard wants to see in her team on the defensive end. The defense has shown flashes of ability, including the hard-fought win over the University of Toledo last weekend. However, that game was in Muncie; the inconsistency on defense rears its ugly head on the road.
'I don't feel like we have the same purpose as we do at home,' Packard said. 'We have to figure that out before we get to Kent State. We have to make strides.'
Taisja Jones leads the Golden Flashes with 13.6 points a game while Jamilah Humes chips in 11.9 points.
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