After three weeks of practice, coach Kelly Packard was concerned about how Ball State would score because of a lack of execution in practice.
It took one exhibition game against St. Joseph's College on Thursday night for Packard to figure out where the scoring would come from.
Every player on the Cardinals' roster saw the floor and scored in Ball State's 105-56 rout of St. Joseph's.
"Looking at the score tonight will help me sleep tonight," Packard said. "We have a ways to go with execution and defensive pressure but tonight I was very pleased with the tempo."
The game was never in doubt for the Cardinals, as they led the entire game after the 19:22 mark in the first half. Ball State led by as many as 51 points.
Senior forward Emily Maggert led the Cardinals with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Junior forward Suzanne Grossnickle recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
"It felt great tonight," Maggert said. "We've worked all preseason for this. To be able to put the on the jerseys and get on the court was great."
The Cardinals got a big contribution from the freshmen as Jordan Huber scored 12 points on four 3-pointers and Jazmin Hitchens became a presence on the defensive end of the court.
"I think it was more excited than nervous tonight even though I'm a freshman," Huber said. "Every game after I hit my first three I calm down a lot and feel relaxed and ready to play."
With 1,000-point scorer Audrey McDonald graduated and senior Shannon Klei out for the season, the Cardinals will be looking for someone to step up at the guard position. Huber's performance gave a strong argument she can fill the void.
Grossnickle said the reason for her production was being aggressive in the paint.
"I think it was more about crashing the boards," Grossnickle said. "That's what we worked on in practice and a main point for us this year. That's where I got most of my points and rebounds."
Through out the game, Packard used a variety of rotations which allowed some players such as senior Ebony Jackson and sophomore Mercedes Miller to see more than 15 minutes of action. Jackson and Miller made the most of their minutes, scoring 13 and seven points, respectively.
After the 105-point outburst, Packard said she was excited about her team because of its depth and talent. She was pleased with her freshmen class and is excited about the next four years she has with the freshmen class.
"This is the most talent I've coached since I've been here, Packard said. "We're deep, and tonight was a sign of it."
Read More
COBB: Grading the Indiana Pacers 2024 NBA Draft picks
By Derran Cobb / June 28, 2024The Pacers had three picks (35, 49, 50) in the 2024 NBA Draft held on June 26th and 27th.
CARTER: Delaware County high school sports end of the year awards
By Zach Carter / June 28, 2024Daily News high school sports beat reporter Zach Carter gives his awards for the 2023-24 Delaware County sports year.
'Don’t mess with happy:’ Ball State women’s basketball head coach Brady Sallee extends contract through 2030
By Elijah Poe / June 27, 2024Ball State women's basketball head coach Brady Sallee signs a contract extension that will see him lead the Cardinals through 2030.
