MUNCIE, Ind. ? Ball State junior forward Julie DeMuth (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville H.S.) was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. DeMuth guided the Cardinals to consecutive conference road victories as they improved to 13-2 overall on the year and moved into sole possession of first place in the West Division with a 4-0 record.
“We are excited that Julie has been recognized as this week's MAC Player of the week. Her solid play in the first four games of the MAC season is a big reason for our great start,” head coach Tracy Roller said. “Besides her awesome rebounding and scoring stats this week, I was especially impressed with her defense on some of the best players in the West. She just keeps getting better and better each day.”
DeMuth, a preseason All-MAC recipient, posted back-to-back double-doubles in the Cardinals' victories at Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. She posted a double-double at Central Michigan with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in the overtime victory. She followed that up with a 14 point, 14 rebound effort at preseason MAC-West Division favorite Eastern Michigan.
DeMuth leads the Cardinals in scoring and rebounding this season as she averages 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. She is tied for second in the conference in rebounds per game and is eighth in scoring in the MAC. She has now recorded six double-doubles this season and tallied 19 for her career.
DeMuth becomes just the second Cardinal this season to earn the weekly honors as she joins senior guard Kelsey Corbin (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop H.S.) who picked up the honors in the first week of the season. This is her second MAC Player of the Week honor of her career as she took home the accolades last season as a sophomore.
DeMuth and the Cardinals will be back in action on Wednesday night as they host MAC-West Division rival Northern Illinois at Worthen Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Ball State Sports Network (BSSN). Wil Hampton will provide play-by-play and former BSU standout Raechelle Hampton will provide color commentary.
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