Women's Basketball Hosts Northern Illinois Wednesday

Rusche?s 36-Point Effort Leads Women?s Basketball to a 97-65 Victory At Butler

Women's Basketball Hosts Northern Illinois Wednesday

January 16, 2007 | Women's Basketball

By: Ball State Athletics

What's On Tap . .
The Cardinals return home to Worthen Arena Wednesday night for a Mid-American Conference West Division showdown against Northern Illinois. Tonight starts a stretch in which the Cardinals play three of their next four MAC games at home. Wednesday's game is broadcast on the Ball State Sports Network.

The Cardinals enter the game with a 13-2 overall record and sit alone atop the West Division with a 4-0 mark in conference action. Ball State is riding a season-high seven-game winning streak heading into tonight's action. Northern Illinois enters the contest in second place in the West Division, only a game behind BSU with a 3-1 MAC record and an 11-4 record overall.

In Good Company . . .
The Cardinals enter the week in some select company as they are just one of five teams in the NCAA Division I to be ranked in the top 32 in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free throw percentage. Ball State joins the likes of Maryland (18-0), Purdue (15-3), Wisconsin-Green Bay (12-3) and Murray State (10-4) to accomplish the trifecta.

The five teams in this selected group have a combined record of 68-12 so far this season, which is good for an .850 winning percentage.

Ball State is 14th in the nation in field goal percentage (46.6%), is 21st in three-point percentage (38.2%) and is 32nd in free throw percentage (74.4%).

Fast Starts . . .
The Cardinals are off to their best start in program history after 15 games with a 13-2 overall record. The Cardinals surpassed the 1974-75 season for the best start with last week's victories.

The Cardinals have put together two winning streak of five or more games this season with their current seven-game and their season-opening five-game winning streak. This marks the third time in program history that they have notched two winning streaks of at least five games in the same season (2004-05 & 2001-02).

The Cardinals are also 4-0 in MAC play for just the third time in program history and the first time since the 2002-03 season.

Winning Streaks . . .
The Cardinals have won seven straight games heading into Wednesday's showdown with Northern Illinois. The seven-game winning streak is the third longest winning streak in program history. The Cardinals won a record 11-straight games in the 2000-01 season and have won eight games in a row during the 2001-02 and 1974-75 seasons.

11 games
(2000-01)
Eight Games
(2001-02 & 1974-75)
Seven Games
(2006-07)
Six Games
(2002-03, 1985-86)

Series History . . .
Wednesday night's game is the 29th meeting all-time between Ball State and Northern Illinois. The Cardinals hold a 16-12 advantage in the series history and have won 10 out of the last 11 meetings with the Huskies.

Last season, Ball State swept the season series with a 65-53 victory at home and a 68-62 victory on the road. The Cardinals defense held the Huskies to just one-of-19 shooting from three-point land in the game in DeKalb last season and jumped out to a nine-point halftime lead at home in the regular season finale.

Last Time Out . . .
The Cardinals improved their winning streak to seven straight games and took over sole possession of first place in the MAC West Division with a 55-46 victory at preseason West Division favorite Eastern Michigan.

Ball State used a stifling defense and a strong second half effort to claim the victory. The Cardinals held the Eagles to just 34 percent (16-of-47) from the field in the game and forced them into 20 turnovers. BSU took advantage of the EMU miscues to score 23 points off of turnovers and hold the Eagles 20 points under their scoring average. The victory over Eastern Michigan is the first for the Cardinals since the 2002-03 season and snaps a seven-game losing streak to the Eagles.

The Cardinals overcame a halftime deficit for the second straight game as they out-scored the Eagles, 36-21 in the second half. Ball State shot 52 percent (13-of-25) from the field in the second half and hit eight-of-12 (66.7%) from the free throw line to seal the victory.

Ball State had four players score in double figures in the victory including junior Julie DeMuth who tallied her sixth double-double of the season and 19th of her career. DeMuth finished the night with a team-high 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. She also moved into 10th place all-time in career rebounds in BSU history as she moved past Alana Hancock with 591 boards.

Kelsey Corbin finished the night with 12 points as she was six-of-11 shooting from the field. She also dished out a game-high six assists and recorded two steals. Porchia Green and Audrey McDonald each added 10 points in the victory while Lisa Rusche chipped in six points and eight rebounds.

DeMuth Honored . . .
Junior forward Julie DeMuth became the second Cardinal this season to earn MAC-West Division Player of the Week honors when she received the accolade on Monday afternoon. DeMuth led the Cardinals to back-to-back victories at Central Michigan and at Eastern Michigan.

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.

Protect This House . . .
The Cardinals are 5-0 this season at home at Worthen Arena and have won nine straight home games dating back to last season. The Cardinals' nine-game home winning streak is tied for the second longest in school history. Ball State won nine straight games at home at the end of 1999-2000 and the beginning of 2000-01 seasons. The Cardinals' program record for consecutive home wins is 10 straight between the 2000-01 season and 2001-02 season.

10 straight home victories
(2000-01 - 2001-02)
Nine straight home victories
(2005-06 - 2006-07)
(1999-00 - 2000-01)

Spreading It Around . . .
The Cardinals are one of just two Mid-American Conference teams that have four players averaging double figures this season as they are joined by Kent State with a quartet. There are five MAC teams that have three players averaging double figures in Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ohio and Western Michigan.

Milestone Victory . . .
Two weeks ago, the Cardinals claimed an 82-72 victory over Charlotte in the championship game of the SPC Holiday Classic was a milestone victory for head coach Tracy Roller as it was her 100th career victory at the helm of the Cardinals. She becomes just the third coach, men's or women's, in Ball State history to reach 100 career victories as she joins Ray McCallum and Jim Hinga. Ironically, both Roller and McCallum both reached 100 victories in their 162nd game.

Roller, who already the all-time winningest women's coach in program history, brings a 103-61 record into tonight's contest with the Eagles in just her sixth season.

Assist Machine . . .
Senior guard Kelsey Corbin has been dishing out assists left and right through the first three games of MAC play this season. Corbin, who leads the team with 72 assists on the year, is averaging a league best8.0 assists per game in conference games. She dished out 11 assists against Toledo, eight helpers against Western Michigan, seven assists at Central Michigan and six helpers at Eastern Michigan.

Scouting the Cardinals . . .
The Cardinals enter tonight's game with a 13-2 record overall and a 4-0 mark in the Mid-American Conference. BSU has won seven straight games heading into tonight's showdown with Northern Illinois.

The Cardinals are averaging 73.7 points per game this season and are allowing just 62.5 points per game. They are connecting on 46.2 percent of their shots from the field, including 37.7 percent from three-point land.

Ball State has all five starters averaging at least 9.9 points per game this season. Junior Julie DeMuth leads the charge as she averages 14.9 points per game and leads the team in rebounding at 8.9 boards per game.

Senior Kelsey Corbin is tied for second in scoring at 11.3 points per game and leads the team with 72 assists on the year. Junior forward Lisa Rusche also averages 11.3 points per game while grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game.

Sophomore guard Porchia Green is fourth on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game, second in rebounding at 6.9 boards per game, second in assists at 52 and leads the team in steals at 42. Freshman guard Audrey McDonald is fifth on the team in scoring as she averages 9.9 points per game. She has connected on a team-best 36 three-pointers and is shooting 48.6 percent from three-point land.

Scouting the Huskies . . .
Northern Illinois comes into tonight's game with an 11-4 record overall and a 3-1 mark in MAC play. The Huskies have won three straight MAC games since opening the conference season with a 14-point loss at Eastern Michigan.

The Huskies are averaging 73.3 points per game this season while allowing 66.7 points per game. They are connecting on 42.6 percent of their shots, including 38.3 percent of three-pointers. NIU leads the MAC and NCAA Division I in free throw percentage at 80.6 percent.

Senior guard Stephanie Raymond leads the team in scoring at 20.1 points per game. Center Kristin Wiener is second in scoring at 14.1 points per game and leads the team in rebounding at 8.1 boards per game.

Did You Know? . . .
The Cardinals are 9-1 this season when they score at least 70 points in a game. Ball State is also 11-1 when it holds opponents under the 70-point mark.

Television Exposure . . .
The Cardinals will have four MAC games televised this season, with two games as part of the MAC television package and two games on the Ball State Sports Network (BSSN).

The Cardinals are on BSSN for the first time this season tonight against Northern Illinois. Former BSU player Raechelle Hampton will provide color commentary, along with play-by-play from Wil Hampton.

The Cardinals return to the BSSN on Jan. 27 when they host Ohio at Worthen Arena at 1 p.m. Hampton will again provide play-by-play duties while former BSU standout Kate Endress will provide the color commentary.

Ball State, who has already appeared on Comcast Local once this season, will have back-to-back MAC games aired later this season. The Cardinals' Feb. 17 game at Western Michigan and the Feb. 21 game at home against Central Michigan will be seen on Comcast Local.

All four games will also be available through “Ball State All-Access” online at www.ballstatesports.com.

Welcome Back . . .
Freshman forward Kalynne Proctor returned to the floor for the first time since November when she came off the bench on Wednesday night. Proctor, who has missed the past 11 games with a knee injury, returned with a bang as she scored eight first half points for the Cardinals and grabbed three offensive rebounds.

Non-Conference Success . . .
The Cardinals posted a program-best 9-2 record in the non-conference season this year. The nine victories are the most in a single season since Ball State joined the Mid-American Conference.

The Cardinals previously posted their best non-conference record of 8-3 on two different occasions (2001-02 & 2000-01)

9-2 - 2006-07
8-3 - 2001-02 & 2000-01
7-3 - 1989-90
8-4 - 2002-3
7-4 - 2005-06 & 1999-2000

Cleaning the Glass . . .
The Cardinals enter tonight's game with a 10-0 record on the season when they out-rebound their opponent. Ball State though, is eighth in the Mid-American Conference in rebounding offense at 36.5 boards per game. The Cardinals have controlled the boards on the other end as they lead the MAC in rebounding defense as they allow just 33.3 boards per game. BSU is third in the conference in rebounding margin at +3.1 boards per game.

Cardinals In NCAA Stats . . .
Ball State is listed in the top 50 in eight statistical team categories in NCAA Division I heading into the week. Leading the charge statistically, the Cardinals are 16th in the nation in field goal percentage (46.6) and 21st in three-point percentage (38.2).

Also, the Cardinals are 23rd in won/loss percentage (.857), 25th in three-pointers made per game (6.6), 26th in assists per game (16.9), 32nd in free throw percentage (74.4), 34th in scoring offense (73.7) and 50th in scoring margin (+11.1).

Individually speaking, freshman guard Audrey McDonald is third in the nation in three-point percentage at 48.6 percent. She is also 40th in three-pointers per game at 2.4. Sophomore guard Porchia Green has not met the minimum requirements for three-point percentage (44.4 percent). Green is ranked 41st in steals per game at 2.8 thefts.

Senior guard Kelsey Corbin is 59th in the nation in assists per game at 4.7 while Lisa Rusche is 59th in blocks per game at 1.8. Junior Julie DeMuth is 80th in the nation in rebounding at 8.9 boards per game.

RPI Watching . . .
The Cardinals, off to a 13-2 start, are making some noise this year in the RPI rankings. Ball State enters the weekend ranked as high as 39th in the RPI by RealtimeRPI.com.
BSU is also listed 49th by RPIRatings.com, 50th by the Sagarin Report and 54 by CollegeRPI.com. The first NCAA RPI release is not sent out until February of each season.

Midseason Tournaments . . .
The Cardinals have picked up two midseason tournament championships this season with the BSU Credit Union Classic and the SPC Holiday Classic. This is just the second season in which Ball State has secured two titles during the same year. The last time BSU accomplished the feat was in the 1999-2000 season.

MAC Stats . . .
Heading into tonight's game, the Cardinals have four players in the top 26 in scoring in the MAC with Julie DeMuth (8th), Kelsey Corbin (22nd), Lisa Rusche (24th) and Porchia Green (26th). The Cardinals also have three players in the top 14 in rebounding with DeMuth (3rd), Green (10th) and Rusche (14th).

Freshman Audrey McDonald is first in the MAC in three-point shooting at 48.6 percent while Green is third at 44.4 percent. Three Cardinals are in the top eight in field goal percentage with Corbin (3rd), Rusche (5th) and Green (8th).

Career Nights . . .
So far this season, Ball State has posted some strong individual performances. The Cardinals have had five different players turn in a career-high scoring performance so far this season. Freshman Audrey McDonald posted a new high on Friday as she scored 19 points against St. Peter's while sophomore guard Porchia Green turned in a career-high 22 points Saturday against Charlotte.

Junior forward Lisa Rusche leads the way with her 36-point effort against Butler while classmate Julie DeMuth added 28-points at Illinois State.
Freshman Kalynne Proctor each opened their collegiate careers in prime style with 10 points

Owning the Glass . . .
Junior guard Julie DeMuth leads the Cardinals and is third in the Mid-American Conference in rebounding this season at 8.9 rebounds per game.

She led the Cardinals and the MAC in rebounding last season with 249 boards. DeMuth became just the fourth Cardinal all-time to lead the MAC in rebounding joining the likes of Jessica Reiter (2004-05), Christy Jones (1999-00) and Karen Bauer (1981-82).

DeMuth's 249 rebounds were the eighth most in a single season at BSU.

She became just the 14th player in Ball State history to reach the 500-career rebound plateau with her 16-board effort against Illinois State. She moved into 10th place all-time in career rebounds with her 14-rebound effort at Eastern Michigan. She sits alone in 10th with 591 career boards as she past Alana Hancock.

7th - Jamie Lehotsky (642)
8th - Char Thomsen (630)
9th - Shelley Silk (618)
10th - Julie DeMuth (591)
11th - Alana Hancock (586)
12th - Glena Rusch (540)

It's Trey Day . . .
Senior Tina Bolte led the Cardinals last season with 67 three-pointers made on the year. Her 67 three-pointers were the fifth most in a single season at BSU and she enters today's game in sole possession of fourth all-time in career-three-pointers made with 151. She overtook Alana Hancock for fourth place with a three-pointer against Valparaiso. She needs just one three-pointers to move into the top three long-range shooters all-time at Ball State as she would tie Markita Griffin for third at 152.

1st - Johna Goff (253)
2nd - Kate Endress (205)
3rd - Markita Griffin (152)
4th - Tina Bolte (151)
5th - Alana Hancock (139)

Lending a Helping Hand . . .
Senior guard Kelsey Corbin leads the team in assists with season with 72. She became just the seventh player all-time to reach 300 career assists earlier this season. She enters tonight's game fifth all-time in career assists at 358. She just passed Jane Emkes to move into the top five with her seven-assist performance at Central Michigan.

1st - Shala Crook (628)
2nd - Jenny Eckert (471)
3rd - Johna Goff (447)
4th - Stephanie McQuinne (364)
5th - Kelsey Corbin (358)
6th - Jane Emkes (346)
7th - Alana Hancock (302)

Double-Trouble . . .
Junior Julie DeMuth led the Mid-American Conference in double-doubles last season as she posted 10 double dips as a sophomore and already has recorded four double dips so far this season. DeMuth posted her first double-double of the 2006-07 season against Wright State as she scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. She has since added double-doubles against Illinois State, Xavier, St. Peter's, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. She moved into sole possession of third place all-time in career double-doubles at Ball State earlier this month as she surpassed former BSU standout Kate Endress.

Below is a list of the all-time double-doubles in BSU history:
Emma Jones - 49
Tamara Bowie - 31
Julie DeMuth - 19
Kate Endress - 14

Rusche's Romp . . .
Junior forward Lisa Rusche turned in a stellar performance last weekend at the Hoosier Classic against Butler as she scored a career-high 36 points. Rusche's 36 points are the fourth most points scored all-time by a Cardinal in a game and the most since Tamara Bowie notched a program-best 40 points in 2002.

Rusche, whose previous career-high was 13 points, surpassed her old career-high just 12 minutes into the game on her way to 19 first half points. She connected on 15-of-23 from the field in the BSU victory and was six-of-eight from the charity stripe. She also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for her second career double-double. She also dished out two assists, registered a block and a steal in just 30 minutes of action.

History in the Making . . .
One game into the season and the Cardinals have already made some history. For the first time in program history, BSU had two true freshmen score in double figures in their collegiate debuts when Audrey McDonald and Kalynne Proctor recorded the feat against Michigan on Monday night. McDonald scored 14 points while Proctor added 10 points. They are the first set of freshmen to reach double figures in the first career game in the 33-year history of Cardinal women's basketball.

Corbin Honored . . .
Senior guard Kelsey Corbin picked up Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honors on Wednesday afternoon for her efforts against Michigan. The weekly honor is the first of her career for Corbin and she becomes the first Cardinal to win the award since Julie DeMuth took home the accolades last December.

Corbin led all scorers against the Wolverines with 16 points to guide the Cardinals to a four-point victory

Preseason Prognosticators . . .
Ball State was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division in the preseason poll conducted by league coaches and members of the MAC News Media Association.

Ball State received 157 total votes including six first place votes in the West Division as four different teams garnered first place tallies. Defending divisional champion Easter Michigan was picked to finish first in the West with 241 total votes and 21 first place votes while Western Michigan was tabbed for second with 188 votes and eight first place picks. Northern Illinois, Toledo and Central Michigan round out the preseason poll for the West Division.

Defending MAC Champion and NCAA Tournament participant Bowling Green was picked to repeat in the East Division with 245 total votes and 40 first place votes. Kent State was tabbed for second while Miami, Ohio, Buffalo and Akron round out the East Division predictions.

Radio Air Time . . .
The Cardinals will again have most of their games broadcast on the student station WCRD 91.3. All games broadcast by WCRD will also be streamed online at www.ballstatesports.com. Kyle Trompeter, Karl Mandik and Joel Nickels will do the honors for WCRD.

Ball State will also have 13 regular season games broadcast on Muncie's WXFN 1340 AM Jay Garrison will handle the play-by-play duties this season. The 15 games broadcast on WXFN are:

Nov. 18 - Wright State
Nov. 25 - Howard
Nov. 26 - BSU Credit Union
Dec. 2 at Butler
Dec. 10 vs. Valparaiso *
Dec. 18 at Indiana *
Jan. 3 - Toledo
Jan. 6 - Western Michigan
Jan. 17 - Northern Illinois
Jan. 20 - Miami
Jan. 27 - Ohio
Feb. 11 - Kent State
Feb. 17 at Western Michigan
Feb. 21 - Central Michigan
Feb. 24 - Eastern Michigan
MAC TOURNAMENT