Starting strong can be just as important as finishing strong. Two MAC teams that have started as strong as anyone in conference play will meet up tonight at the Convocation Center.

The NIU women’s basketball team will tip off against the Ball State Cardinals at 7 p.m., as both teams jockey for position in the MAC West.

The Huskies (8-9 overall, 3-1 MAC) finish up a three-game homestand in which they’ve started 2-0, with both games going into overtime. The Cardinals (11-6, 4-0) have played their way to the top of the MAC West, handing Toledo its only conference loss.

NIU will look to its guards to lead against Ball State, as senior Jessie Wilcox and junior Kylie York have led the team in scoring over the past two contests. The bench should figure to play a large role in the outcome as well, as the Huskies have averaged 22.5 bench points a game during their current homestand.

“We have a fairly young bench,” said NIU head coach Carol Owens. “It’s good for them to get this type of experience in this type of environment where every possession is crucial. I think that’s going to carry over into the end of the season.”

That young bench will be crucial in keeping NIU’s legs fresh on defense. The Huskies, defensively, will have to play balanced, as the Cardinals have four players who average over 10 points a game.

“You can’t make them comfortable,” Owens said. “Anytime you make them comfortable in their sets, they’re going to hit shots. It’s not one person shutting one person down. We’ve got to play team defense.”

An emphasis of the Huskies’ defensive attack should be junior guard Audrey McDonald who is coming off a 17-point performance against Toledo, including going 5-8 from long distance.

Helping McDonald on the outside will be senior guard Porchia Green who averages 13.4 points a game and 5.9 boards as one of Ball State’s most versatile players.

“McDonald’s going to hit shots, [Kiley] Jarrett’s going to hit shots,” Owens said. “Of course, Green can get to the basket. She’s very versatile. I think we’re starting to get a flow, some continuity at home after spending most of our non-conference on the road.”