Heading into their game Saturday at Valparaiso, Ball State’s women’s basketball team has won just one game on the road this season, compiling a 1-5 record away from Worthen Arena.
Playing in their final non-conference game of the season, Valparaiso may be just the team to reverse the trend, having not won a game since Dec. 1.
One of the biggest reasons for their poor record is a lack of offense.
Ball State is averaging just 57 points on the road, and has struggled to get multiple players to shoot effectively during the same game.
They’re should have their chances against Valparaiso, who’s giving up just over 70 points a game,
One of their biggest assets lately has been the lone senior, Shanee’ Jackson. Jackson scored 18 points against both Detroit and Northern Kentucky, but has taken a backseat since forward Katie Murphy returned from her injury.
The Cardinals should get a boost from having a healthy Murphy to give them a low post presence.
Murphy suffered a right ankle injury against Detroit on Dec 6. She missed the next game, but played against Illinois State and Wyoming, though clearly not playing at 100 percent.
Despite her injury, she led Ball State against Wyoming with 16 points in just 29 minutes, and should feel healthier 10 days later when she and the team take on Valparaiso.
Ball State has a chance to win the rebounding battle, something that has rarely happened this season, being outrebounded by 6.3 per game.
The Crusaders three tallest players clock in at just six foot one, which 6-foot-2 Nathalie Fontaine and 6-foot Murphy should be able to go toe-to-toe with.
Even the shortest person on the team has gotten into the rebounding mix for Ball State.
Junior guard Brandy Woody led the team in rebounds against Wyoming, pulling down eight. She stands at five foot four.
She’s averaging 5.3 rebounds a game, just 1.4 lower than Ball State’s two leading rebounders, Fontaine and Murphy.
On defense, Ball State’s main threat will be slowing down Tabitha Gerardot, who leads Valparaiso with 11.4 points a game, and rebounds with 6.6.
No other player is averaging more than 7.9 points.
The Cardinals will also try to take advantage of Valparaiso’s -5.4 turnover differential.
Ball State is forcing nearly 10 steals per game, that’s led to an average of +2.3 turnover differential per game.
Ball State tips off against Valparaiso Saturday at 1:35 at the Athletics Recreations Center.
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