Even with her team on an eight-game losing streak and heading into tonight's game against Northern Illinois, coach Kelly Packard's team is still upbeat.
"This group amazes me because as difficult as it's been, their energy is upbeat," she said. "It surprises me to see their faces each day at 3:45 [p.m.] and there is laughter and smiling in the locker room."
Ball State closes out its regular season tonight, meaning the final game at Worthen Arena for seniors Emily Maggert, Ty'ronda Benning and Ebony Jackson.
The three seniors will be recognized for their four years at Ball State after the game.
"There's always added emotion into Senior Night," Packard said. "We do the senior recognition after the game because I don't see why we want to hurry acknowledging someone for their four years here."
Packard also said that because Maggert and Benning are the team's top two scorers for the Cardinals, she won't make any different game strategies against the Huskies.
"Maggert and Benning are already getting significant touches," she said. "Jackson's been getting opportunities in recent games, not just because she's a senior. Our style won't change."
Packard said her team has had to face a lot of adversity in the past month while dealing with its losing streak.
"We've had to fight discouragement and fight the mental space of failure," she said. "It's been a challenge. On the floor though we have to be able to make the hustle plays on every single loose ball. When we can run in transition it gives the team energy and confidence."
Ball State sits at 9-19 overall and 4-11 in the Mid-American Conference. The two most likely destinations for the Cardinals for the first round of the MAC Tournament are either at Akron or at Buffalo.
Packard said wherever her team ends up playing, her team has to play good basketball.
"It depends on other people's games where we go," she said. "We know we will have to go on the road. We can't play to the host and we have to be able to take care of business."
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