It's not easy staying healthy.
The Bobcats are struggling to get through a week without another injury popping up. Already, they are coping with Simone Redd's nagging foot injury, Domenica Silva's mild concussion and a couple of other minor injuries in between.
With a road contest with Mid-American Conference West Division leader Ball State coming tomorrow, Ohio will be looking for production from anyone who can take the floor.
Coach Sylvia Crawley said it has been extremely challenging to run practices when she can hardly get most of her roster on the court.
As a coach
I don't know what each day is going to bring Crawley said. I get the medical report G? and we could have six people (practicing) or we could have eight people. I have to rearrange the practice right there on the spot and get the most out of that day.
Despite the low numbers, Crawley got the most out of her Bobcats (10-9, 3-4 MAC) Tuesday night in a 72-70 victory over Northern Illinois. Jennifer Bushby, starting in place of Redd, led the team with 18 points, and even seldom-used guard Catherine Cain saw action, helping out the frontcourt when Silva came to the bench.
Crawley took Saturday's loss to Western Michigan extremely hard
admitting she changed practice drills so players would not be at risk for injury.
After that loss, practices became more aggressive as Crawley brought back the cutthroat drills.
We're not going to think about getting hurt ' that's basketball and things happen
Crawley said. We're low on numbers G? but if we play hard like we did (Tuesday)
good things will happen.
The Bobcats are going to need things to go their way against Ball State (16-2, 7-0 MAC). The Cardinals are undefeated at home this season and have flown under the radar, with Bowling Green getting most of the attention within the conference.
We're looking to just steal this one on the road
guard Quintana Ward said. We're trying to go off of this win and show some people in the MAC that we can do it and we're here to stay.
The Cardinals have won 10 straight games and are led by guard Julie DeMuth, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Ball State has defined itself as the offensive juggernaut of the conference, featuring five players averaging in double figures. The Cardinals also lead the MAC in points per game (74.8) and 3-point percentage (40 percent). Audrey McDonald, Porchia Green and Tina Bolte all rank within the top six in the MAC in 3-point percentage.
Ball State's doing some big things this year
guard Rachel Frederick said. We're going to come out with the same intensity that we came out with (Tuesday)
play a 40-minute game and hopefully shock the MAC.
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