Nov. 29, 2005
Muncie, Ind. -
Two teams trying to go 5-0 for just the second time in more than three decades of women's college basketball collide when Illinois State tips off against Ball State at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Worthen Arena.
The Redbirds will be playing their third game in five days and head coach Robin Pingeton, who has eight freshmen and sophomores carrying the bulk of the playing time, will be ready to go to her bench to fight any possible fatigue.
"This is a young team coming to the end of an `NBA-type' stretch of schedule and playing on the road," said Pingeton. "This team hasn't been in this situation before, but it's the kind of experience I feel that will make us a better team down the road."
Despite the fact that the Redbirds have won more games to start a season than in any year but 1973-74, Pingeton believes her team has not gotten caught up in its success.
"The team is excited to be 4-0, and every win builds confidence," said Pingeton. "But it's great to see that this team is still humble and understands that, because it's a young team, we still have a long way to go and a lot of things we can improve on."
It would be hard to improve on the way the Redbirds have played defense the past two games, which have vaulted Illinois State into first place in the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring defense. Redbird foes are scoring just 54.8 points per game and averaging 22 turnovers per contest.
Most recently, the Redbirds held Northern Illinois and South Alabama to just 50 points each. It's the first time an ISU team has held an opposing team to 50 or less in back-to-back games since the `Birds beat Indiana State 58-49 and Calvin College 60-46, both on March 7, 1975 in the AIAW Regional Tournament. Those games were played at a time before the shot clock and three-point line were introduced, and the game was still being played with a larger, men's basketball.
Pingeton appreciates with her team's effort and preparation defensively--especially in the face of cold-shooting spells in each game this season.
"Our kids play so hard," said Pingeton. "Our players have good athleticism and we seem to follow the game plans very well. I remember talking to our team after the Odyssey (exhibition) game and telling them that we would have nights where our shots might not be falling, but we will need our defense and rebounding. I think they have really taken that to heart."
After Ball State, the Redbirds' next game is a home contest Dec. 8 vs. Wisconsin-Green Bay in Redbird Arena.
