“It is one of the few sporting events where the entire community of women’s basketball is about the same stuff,” head coach Brady Sallee said about “Think Pink Night.”
I think all of us have been affected in one way or another with family members or friends. I think all the work that is being put into it [that] we are going to get it one of these days.”
Women’s basketball teams across the nation are wearing pink this week and month to show support for breast cancer and cancer awareness. With the community's support, Ball State was able to raise over their $1,000 goal for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Sallee said he was especially excited about this year's night to be able to give a bigger check on behalf of the Ball State women’s basketball program. The program auctioned off signed team jerseys and helped bring support by posting links online to donate to the cause.
Sallee said the players understood when they put on the pink shoes and pink shirts that there was no question the level of effort had to be raised.
With fans and players wearing some type of pink on their clothing, Ball State (23-3, 12-1 MAC) defeated Mid-American Conference (MAC) foe Central Michigan (5-18, 3-10 MAC) 78-54.
Junior Ally Becki said that everyone goes through something with cancer and to be able to play for all those people affected was meaningful.
“It is really important, a lot of our family members and people on the team all know somebody that is affected by cancer,” junior Alex Richard said. “I think being able to go out and showcase and show support for everybody going through this is nice and special.”
Coming off of two days of preparations, Sallee said the Cardinals were able to “impose their will” early and continued into the second half.
With her pink shoes, Richard “imposed a will” of her own with 22 points. She eclipsed her previous career high of 20. She said this is probably some of the best basketball she has been playing as a Cardinal. She was 9-for-11 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Richard could be seen making shots from the elbow, corners, free throw line or working in the paint. Her versatility on the offense side of the ball has helped her score in double-digits three out of the past five games.
“I get my momentum through practice,” Richard said. “Practice is going to translate into the game.”
After being in foul trouble the past few games, Becki said it is something she has been dealing with for her whole career. Today, she only had one foul and did not have to worry about being in foul trouble.
“I just have to be smart with it and know the importance of staying in the game,” Becki said. “Gotta be smart and don’t make dumb decisions.”
Ball State will head to Toledo Feb. 24 in a matchup of the two top-ranked teams in the MAC. Sallee said it will be a heavyweight matchup with a lot of attention on the action that will take place in Toledo, Ohio.
“To both teams’ credit, we've done what we're supposed to do to make this a big game,” Sallee said. “It's not a big game if you don't take care of your business.”
With the big game ahead, Sallee said at the same time whoever wins is not going to receive a trophy at the end of the game or pull a ladder out and give them scissors.
“You still got work to do,” Sallee said. “Yeah, it is a big game but to me, this is what these kids are here for. To play in these games. When it is over, we got to go win the next one regardless.
“These days are fun when you know what you are getting ready to play in. If your blood can’t get pumping for this game coming up on Saturday then you need to get checked.”
Contact Elijah Poe via email at elijah.poe@bsu.edu or on X @ElijahPoe4.
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