The excitement of raising a banner won’t make up for another tough loss.
The Ball State women’s basketball team opened its season in defeat on Sunday with a 57–63 loss at Purdue. The Associated Press ranked the Boilermakers No. 18 in its Top 25 poll, but the Cardinals felt as though they beat themselves.
“You never really want to feel that way. So hopefully we can take care of the ball a little bit better [this week],” head coach Brady Sallee said.
Ball State opens its home schedule against Pittsburgh University tonight at 7 p.m. The Panthers finished last season with a 9-21 record under first-year head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio.
Sallee is preparing for the Atlantic Coast Conference opponent with the mindset of improving on his season-opening loss. Ball State turned the ball over 28 times in the down-to-the-wire game.
Much like the team’s upset of the University of Minnesota in last year’s Women’s National Invitational Tournament, the outcome was decided in the closing minute.
Ball State held a lead early in the first half against Purdue but began to slow down as halftime closed in. Purdue tied at the break, and then pulled away in the second.
The Cardinals went down swinging, as they pulled within three points with just over one minute left in the game.
Led by junior guard Brittany Carter’s 19 points, the offense was somewhat top-heavy. Sophomore Nathalie Fontaine scored another 16 and senior Katie Murphy added 10.
Sallee said he wants to see a more balanced scoring attack in today’s home opener. Making the necessary changes might come down to film from the loss at Purdue.
“We took time to watch the film and look at the things that got us beat,” Sallee said. “Hopefully we learn from them and we’re eager to put a different product on the floor.”
It will be the team’s first home game since last season’s WNIT run that ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Kansas State.
The banner marking the team’s achievement will be hung in Worthen Arena tonight. Though Sallee wasn’t looking ahead to the ceremony on Wednesday, he said it’d be special “in the moment.”
“It’s going to be great,” he said. “Because Shanee’ Jackson and Lyzz Smith, two kids that aren’t with us this year that were a big part of [the tournament run], they’re going to be back, so we’ll have that group in tact. It will definitely be special.”
Read More
Capturing The County - Episode 19
By Zach Carter and Adam Altobella / 1 hours agoIn this episode, Zach and Adam discuss the future of the Ball State Daily News and recap the Delaware County sports action from the school year.
The eyes and ears of the David Owsley Museum of Art
By Madelyn Bracken / 9 hours agoThe David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) doesn’t only house art. For many Ball State University students, it houses opportunity. Graduate and social media assistant, and former DOMA intern and guard, Taylor Hamblin spent the past two years working at the museum surrounded with possibilities to further her career while at Ball State.
Cardinals chase Mid-American Conference crown at 2024 men's golf MAC Championships
By Nick Shelton / 11 hours agoHeading one hour west to Westfield, Indiana, Ball State will have a chance to redeem last season’s runner-ups with a MAC title. The Cardinals will tee off April 26 to begin their three-day event at Chatham Hills.
