Women?s Basketball Hosts Hoosier Lady Stars In Exhibition Friday

November 02, 2007 | Women's Basketball

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State women's basketball team hits the court in game action for the first time in the 2007-08 season as the Cardinals host the Hoosier Lady Stars Friday in an exhibition game at Worthen Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

“We are excited to get out onto the floor against another team tomorrow night,” head coach Tracy Roller said. “This will be a good barometer of where our team is at this early in the season.”

The Cardinals were picked to win the Mid-American Conference West Division and MAC Tournament in the preseason poll. Ball State is coming off of one of its best season's all-time as the Cardinals posted a 24-7 overall record and claimed the 2006-07 MAC West Division title.

The Cardinals are led going into the 2007-08 by four returning starters in seniors Julie DeMuth (Merrillville, Merrillville) and Lisa Rusche (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills); junior Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) and sophomore Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo).

DeMuth, a preseason All-MAC selection, led the Cardinals in scoring at 15.5 points and in rebounding at 8.8 boards per game. She scored in double figures in 27 of 31 games last season and posted a team-high 11 double-doubles. Rusche had a breakout season last year as she finished third on the team in scoring at 11.2 points and second in rebounding at 6.9 boards per game.

Green also earned preseason All-MAC honors as she averaged 10.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season. McDonald was named to the All-MAC Freshman team last year as she averaged 8.7 points per game as she converted 62-of-155 (.400) from three-point land.

Joining them in the starting lineup this season is junior guard Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North). Jarrett was one of the Cardinals' top reserves last season as she averaged 15.8 minutes per game and finished third on the team with 62 assists.

The Cardinals will also welcome back junior forward Dana Moorman (Kettering, Ohio/Kettering Fairmont) and redshirt freshman Kyleigh Jones (Elwood, Ind./Elwood).

Joining the Cardinals this season are four newcomers to this year's team in junior transfer Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Illinois), freshman Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris), freshman Shannon Klei (Coldspring, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) and freshman Ashley Richardson (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo).