Although Ball State’s top two scorers were out, NIU women’s basketball coach Carol Owens knew her team still had a hefty task ahead.
Playing without top-scoring BSU guards Julie DeMuth, who averages 12.5 points per game, and Tina Bolte at 11.4, the Cardinals were forced to lean on junior guard Erica Cotton, who responded with a career-high 17 points in Ball State’s 68-62 victory over NIU at the Convocation Center Saturday.
"Our team was quite aware that two of their starters were out, but we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game," Owens said.
This victory keeps Ball State (10-6 overall, 3-2 MAC) in second place in the MAC West and puts NIU (6-10, 2-3) down to fourth.
Ball State coach Tracy Roller said her team’s 1-3-1 zone was key in the Cardinals victory.
"We were really active in the zone," Roller said. "Tonight was definitely about a true team win."
The NIU offense at times had trouble bringing the ball up-court, which led to 11 turnovers in the second half. Guard Stephanie Raymond led her team in scoring with 15 points, but shot 7-of-21 from the field and had a game-high six turnovers.
Roller said locking down Raymond was key for her team. Jennifer Uptmor chipped in with 14 points on 7-of-13 from the field and eight rebounds.
The Ball State defense held NIU 1-19 shooting from the three-point line.
"Wanting so much, I thought were trying to do too much," Owens said. "We had opportunities in the game, but we did not grasp them. We let one slip away."
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