Ball State University
4-2
Ohio Valley University
1-6
Women's Basketball Takes Down Ohio Valley, 94-45
December 04, 2015 | Women's Basketball
By Doug Zaleski
Ballstatesports.com
Frannie Frazier dove to the court while trying to retrieve a loose ball in the second quarter of Ball State's basketball game Thursday night and surely left a streak of skin on the new Worthen Arena court.
Calyn Hosea leaped into an out of bounds area to try to tap a loose ball back to a teammate in the third quarter.
Later in that period, Lucia Fernandez hustled in the paint to grab an offensive rebound and was rewarded for her effort by being fouled.
Those kinds of plays, all made by players off the bench, paint a picture of desire and heart that made Ball State women's basketball coach Brady Sallee smile. Those characteristics helped lead the Cardinals to a 94-45 victory over Ohio Valley.
“This group is starting to understand and build a little bit of an identity that way,” Sallee said. “I think we've proven we can put the ball in the basket a lot of different ways, but it's (taking) charges, getting loose balls and rebounds that is going to make the difference in what kind of year we have.
“For us, no matter who we play, it's how we play. We play a certain way, and (players) are expected to play a certain way. … That's who we are and what we do, whether we're up 40, down 40, against Ohio Valley or Florida.”
With the outcome secured early, the Cardinals (4-2) had a chance to give out lots of playing time, and several players responded in a big way.
Fernandez, a freshman from Madrid, Spain, had her best game of the season. In 22 minutes, she produced 16 points, nine rebounds (six on the offensive board) and two steals.
“Lucia just has a nose for the ball,” Sallee said. “She's always around it, gets boards, puts it up on the rim and gets some rolls. She plays hard. Now I just have to get her to play hard on defense, and I think we'll have a pretty good player there.”
Frazier was solid in 18 minutes with six points, four rebounds (all on offense), five assists and three steals. The assist total was a career best and she tied her career high in steals.
“I just played hard and did what I could out there,” she said. “(Sallee) is always telling me not to think, just play. … I just try to enjoy it.”
Nakeya Penning had six points and four rebounds (all on offense) in just 10 minutes.
The five players off the bench produced 33 points, 22 rebounds, 11 assists and six steals, helping Ball State win for the fourth time in the past five games.
“I think they're getting comfortable in their roles,” Sallee said of the players off the bench. “They understand what we need from them when they go in the game.”
Senior forward Nathalie Fontaine also understood her opportunity as she took advantage of her athleticism inside to score 29 points (one shy of her career high) while playing just 18 minutes (none in the fourth quarter).
She moved within 10 points of fourth place on Ball State's all-time career scoring list.
Fontaine hit her first 10 shots and made 13-of-16 for the game while getting seven rebounds. She also missed a free throw in the first quarter, ending a streak of 25 consecutive makes to start the season.
“I got a lot of fastbreak points, and the team just threw good passes up high where (Ohio Valley) couldn't get it,” Fontaine said of her success scoring inside.
Ball State's ball movement produced 27 assists on 38 baskets. Freshman Carmen Grande had six, and Moriah Monaco (career high), Jill Morrison and Frazier all had five. Monaco also reached double figures in points with 14.
The Cardinals took control early and led Ohio Valley 26-9 after the first quarter and 53-21 at halftime.
That allowed Sallee to experiment with some different defensive looks, including the debut of a 1-3-1 half-court zone.
“We didn't run it great, but this was our first chance to run it live, and now we can look at it on film and teach from it,” he said. “Maybe when we get into the league and run it well, it can steal us a few possessions.”
Ball State will play host to Butler (4-2) at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Bulldogs have won three straight games, including victories against Clemson and TCU.
Winter Fan Jam will be conducted at 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Fans can shoot on the court after the women's game and members of the women's and men's teams will be available for autographs.
Corporate sponsors Jimmy John's, Let's Spoon, McDonald's, Papa John's and Texas Roadhouse will serve free food at 4 p.m. Pepsi will provide complimentary drinks.
