Ball State University Athletics
WBB Begins Official Practice For 2014-15 Season
October 05, 2014 | Women's Basketball
The Ball State women's basketball team practices for the 2014-15 season are underway for third-year head coach Brady Sallee.
The Cardinals return two starters along with eight letterwinners from last year's squad that became postseason eligible by winning seven of their final eight games en route to advancing to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship Game for the first time since winning it all in 2009. In the semifinals of the MAC Tournament, Ball State scored a thrilling 73-55 win over 25th-ranked Bowling Green. The Cardinals then lost to No. 3 seed Akron, 79-68, in the title game.
“No question, our whole camp is ready to begin practice,” said Sallee. “We have had a tremendous offseason both in the gym and weight room. We are very excited to see where we are but even more excited to see where we can go this season. The expectations in our locker room are very high!”
Ball State will be led by junior Nathalie Fontaine, along with senior Shelbie Justice and sophomores Renee Bennett, Calyn Hosea, Shelbie Justice, Shelby Merder, Jill Morrison and Haley Richardson. Also returning for the Cardinals are junior Candyce Ussery who missed playing time during the season due to an injury. Ball State also welcomes newcomers Frannie Frazier, Moriah Monaco and Brionna Simond.
Fontaine, a two-time All-MAC Second Team honoree, averaged the most points on the team with 16.4 points per game and 6.5 rebounds. She starts the season off with 997 points for her career and became only the second player in program history to reach 900 points as a sophomore. Tamara Bowie (1999-2000) was the first to accomplish the feat with 943. She also averaged the most points in the MAC Tournament for the Cardinals at 15.8 points per game, while adding 6.8 rebounds per contest.
Justice was named to the MAC Tournament team after setting the mark for three point field goals made in a single MAC Tournament. She hit 15 trifectas over Ball State's five games in the event. She managed a career-best 21 points in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament, helping the Cardinals defeat No. 25 Bowling Green, 73-55. Justice has 784 points in her career and needs 216 points to hit the 1,000 mark.
The Cardinals ended the 2013-14 season with an 18-17 overall mark and a 9-9 MAC ledger. After a thrilling run to the 2014 MAC Tournament Championship Game, Ball State was extended an at-large invitation to play in the 64-team Women's National Invitation Tournament.
Sallee, who completed his second season at Ball State, became only the second coach in program history to take the Cardinals to back-to-back WNITs. The last time it happened was 2001-02 and 2002-03 under former head coach Tracy Roller.
The Ball State women's basketball team will host an exhibition game Nov. 4, against Oakland City before the Cardinals open the regular season against Big Ten foe Purdue Nov. 14, in Worthen Arena. Tipoff for both games will be at 7 p.m.
