Ball State University Athletics
Freshmen Lead Women's Basketball to 93-89 Victory Over the Hoosier Stars
November 09, 2006 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State women's basketball team concluded its preparations for the 2006-07 regular season with an strong showing as the Cardinals picked up a 93-89 victory over the Hoosier Lady Stars on Thursday night at Worthen Arena in exhibition action. The Cardinals had five different players score in double figures, including a game-high 22 points from junior Julie DeMuth.
"We came out tonight and played with a lot of heart as we were pressed for the first time this year," head coach Tracy Roller said. "The Hoosier Stars were a good team that made us adjust and battle for everything we got. We showed a lot of composure throughout the game as everyone stepped up and contributed to the victory."
Ball State received a strong showing from a pair of freshmen in Kalynne Proctor and Audrey McDonald. Proctor finished the night with 15 points in just 19 minutes of action as she scored 13 points in the second half. McDonald added 14 points on the strength of four-of-six shooting from three-point land as the Cardinals received contributions up and down the lineup.
DeMuth posted her second straight double-double as she grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with her 22 points. She connected on four-of-five from three-point land as the Cardinals as a team hit on 60 percent (12-of-20) of their long range shots in the victory.
Sophomore guard Porchia Green turned in an all-around effort as she scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists, notched two steals and recorded a block. Junior forward Lisa Rusche rounded out the double-figure scoring attack as she added 10 points for the Cardinals.
BSU opened the game with a flurry of three-pointers in the first half as the Cardinals connected on nine-of-13 (69.2%) from long-range. The damage was done by three shooters in DeMuth, McDonald and senior guard Tina Bolte. All three players recorded three three-pointers apiece in the opening half as Ball State jumped out to a 49-35 first half lead.
The Cardinals shot 51.4 percent from the field in the first half as they spread the ball around with 16 assists on 18 field goals. The Hoosier Lady Stars posted a 45.2 percent shooting clip in the opening stanza as Candice Dark led the way with 10 first half points.
The Hoosier Lady Stars made a couple of runs at the Cardinals in the second half as they were able to take their first lead since the opening minute at 75-74 with eight minutes remaining in the game. The Cardinals responded in strong fashion as they ran off a 13-4 run over the next five minutes to take an 87-79 lead. Proctor led the way with six points in the run while Green added a big three-pointer to help BSU pull away.
The Cardinals finished the night shooting 53.1 percent (34-of-64) from the field, including their 12 three-pointers. BSU also out-rebounded the Hoosier Lady Stars by a 44-27 margin with 15 offensive rebounds. The Hoosier Lady Stars finished the game shooting 50 percent (14-of-31) from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point land.
Bolte finished the night with nine points for BSU on her three three-pointers while senior Becca Bajorek added six points and six rebounds. Kelsey Corbin dished out a game-high six assists and Kiley Jarrett finished with five helpers on the night.
The Lady Stars were led by Robin Threatt-Elliott who finished with a game-high 24 points. Dark added 20 points off of the bench for the Hoosier Stars, including four three-pointers.
Ball State will open the 2006-07 regular season on the road as the Cardinals travel to Big Ten foe Michigan on Monday night. Game time is set for
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