MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State women's basketball team suffered a 71-54 loss to regional rival Illinois State on Tuesday evening at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals struggled from the field in the loss as they shot just 29.8 percent (17-of-57) while the Redbirds connected on 46.2 percent (30-of-65) from the field.
“We are disappointed with our start as we didn't execute in the first half,” seventh-year head coach Tracy Roller said. “Julie (DeMuth) and Lisa (Rusche) battled all game long and showed a lot of heart for our team. We are looking for consistency in our play and we need to continue to improve each and every time out on the floor.”
Senior forwards Julie DeMuth (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville) and Lisa Rusche (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) provided the scoring punch for the Cardinals as they combined for 29 points and 15 rebounds. DeMuth led the charge with a game-high 19 points, while Rusche added 10 points in the loss.
The Cardinals (3-5) came out of the gate quickly as they jumped to a 9-4 lead in the first four minutes as DeMuth hit back-to-back three-pointers. Illinois State regrouped and answered with a 20-4 run over the next six minutes to take the lead for good at 24-13. The Redbirds forced the Cardinals into five turnovers in the stretch and just one-of-eight shooting.
The Redbirds extended the lead to 17-points at 34-17 as the Cardinals called their final timeout of the game with four minutes remaining in the first half. Ball State responded with a 9-2 run to pull within 10 points at 36-26 as DeMuth hit a three-pointer and junior guard Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) scored off of an offensive rebound.
Illinois State (7-1) closed the half with back-to-back baskets to take a 40-26 lead into the locker room. The Cardinals connected on just 26.9 percent (seven-of-26) from the field in the first half, but made four-of-12 (33.3%) from three-point land. Illinois State hit 52.8 percent (19-of-36) from the field in the opening frame on its way to the 17-point first half lead.
The Redbirds came out of halftime and scored the first six points to take the largest lead of the night at 46-26. Ball State answered with a 10-0 run to pull back within 10 at 46-36. Freshman guard Shannon Klei (Coldspring, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) and junior guard Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North) hit three-pointers to ignite the spurt.
The Cardinals could not get over the hump and narrow the lead into single digits the remainder of the game as they finished just 29.8 percent shooting from the field. The Cardinals connected on eight-of-22 (36.4 percent) from three-point land in the loss and were just 12-of-19 (63.2%) from the charity stripe.
Sophomore guard Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) added eight points for the Cardinals despite missing most of the first half due to an injury. Klei added six points off of the bench as she was two-of-three from three-point land. Green chipped in six points, seven rebounds and five assists in the loss.
Illinois State finished the night 46.2 percent (30-of-65) from the field but were limited to just 7.7 percent (one-of-13) from three-point land. The Redbirds hit all 10 of their free throws in the victory. Forward Ashleen Bracey led ISU with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Center Nicolle Lewis chipped in 14 points, while Kristi Cirone added 10 points and a game-high seven assists.
The Cardinals will return to the court in less than 48 hours as they travel to Terre Haute, Ind., for a Thursday evening contest against Indiana State. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
####
