Ball State University Athletics
WBB Continues MAC Play at NIU Wednesday
January 18, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Media: WERK (104.9 FM) - Jay Garrison
WCRD (91.3) - Chris Renkel and Donnie Kolakowski
Scouting Ball State: Ball State enters tonight's contest with a 7-10 overall record and 2-2 Mid-American Conference mark after defeating Central Michigan Saturday 86-77 at Worthen Arena. Ball State had three players in double figures, senior guard Ty'Ronda Benning, along with Emily Maggert, tied for team high scoring honors with 22 points apiece. Freshman forward Jazmin Hitchens had a career high 20 points. Both Maggert and Benning had double doubles with 10 rebounds apiece, and Benning just missed a triple double, adding nine assists in the contest. Currently Maggert leads the team in scoring (16.1) and rebounding (8.9).
Scouting Northern Illinois: The Huskies enter tonight's contest with an overall record of 6-11 and a 0-4 conference mark. Northern Illinois fell at home 71-67 to Western Michigan Saturday. NIU is on a five-game losing streak dating back to Jan. 3. Marke Freeman leads the Huskies in scoring averaging 15.0 points per contest. Northern Illinois owns a 2-3 record at home.
The Coaches: Ball State head coach Kelly Packard is in her third season at Ball State . . . Packard's overall record at Ball State is 47-36 (.566), while her Mid-American Conference mark is 23-13 . . . Kathi Bennett is in her first season at Northern Illinois. . . Bennett's overall record at NIU is 6-11 and owns a MAC record of 0-4.
A Familiar Face: Former Cardinal Danielle Gratton is a member of the Northern Illinois women's basketball staff, she serves as the director of basketball operations. This marks Gratton's first year with the Huskies. As a senior Gratton averaged 8.3 points per game and 5.2 rebounds.
The Series: This is the 39th meeting between Ball State and Northern Illinois . . . The Huskies lead the all-time series record 23-15 . . . Ball State defeated Northern Illinois swept NIU last season winning both contests . . . The Cardinals captured a 64-62 victory at NIU in 2010.
Head Coach Kelly Packard's Quote: "We have been in a process of collecting confidence. The mentality of toughness on the road in the MAC is currently a place of required growth. NIU will play hard and physical."
