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  • Plea: Indiana State's #13, Deja Mattox pleads for a traveling call against Butler's #22, Jenna Cobb as she falls to the floor while passing the ball Tuesday night at Hulman Center.

    SPT 120611 MATTOX PLEA.jpg

  • Out of reach: Deja Mattox is unable to get to a ball throw from behind on a breakaway scoring attempt against Drake at Hulman Center Sunday afternoon.

    SPT 012212 DEJA MATTOX.jpg

  • Hard to the hoop: Indiana State's #13, Deja Mattox drives the ball hard down the lane late in the game against a Butler defender. Mattox finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

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  • Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Coming in: Deja Mattox drives in to score in first half action Wednesday night in Hulman Centerr.

    SPT113011isuwbb mattox.jpg

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January 27, 2012

Mattox, Sycamores staying positive on road trip to Missouri State, Wichita State

ISU hopes to rebound from tough 0-2 homestand

Craig Pearson The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE —  Indiana State seniors Brittany Schoen and Deja Mattox are within striking distance of passing 1,000 points in their women’s basketball careers, and they would join classmate Shannon Thomas in that club.

Schoen needs just 16 points, while Mattox is 89 points away.

But Mattox has been on a roll of late, scoring a team-high 15.1 points through ISU’s 4-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play.

“With Deja, she’s been playing extremely well,” Schoen said. “We go through these droughts where we don’t score, and Deja can create on her own. Thank God for that. There’s times we’re not getting any buckets inside or outside, and we’ve got Deja that can create in the mid-range. … We need to get to a point where we don’t go through droughts. Of course you’re going to have some empty possessions, but we need to minimize those possessions.”

Mattox has been playing what equates to the power forward position during her senior year after playing on the wing in each of the past three seasons. Her versatility as a scorer has been evident since she chiseled out a role as a freshman, but this year the Sycamores have shown at times that they depend on Mattox in key moments.

“Part of it is the flow of our offense lately. I’ve got more of an advantage at the 4 than the 3. I’m not a post player, it’s just a little adjustment I’ve adapted to,” Mattox said.

Coach Teri Moren watched Mattox put up a career-high 28 points last week against Creighton, and she’s been in double figures in every game of MVC action.

“Deja has been our most consistent player offensively. One of the things we’re most proud of with Deja is she has accepted and embraced playing the 4 [position]. She’s played guard all her life and sometimes your team needs you to play a different position,” Moren said.

While Mattox’s quick first step and crossover dribbles can cause headaches for many defenders that draw her assignment, Mattox also faces a tough task on the defensive end.

“This weekend in particular she’ll face some true 4 players, they’re going to be bigger than she is,” Moren said. “There could be some matchup issues, having to guard 6-1 or 6-2. She’ll use her quickness to her advantage. She’s been playing very physical. We’ll have to give her a lot of help.”

As for that 1,000-point mark, Mattox is just staying focused on helping her team stop a three-game losing streak from growing any larger.

“I wasn’t aware of how many [points she needs to get 1,000],” Mattox said. “My dad wouldn’t tell me. I can’t worry about it too much, that would definitely ruin my focus. Hopefully, it’s something that will come along.”

While first-place Wichita State on Sunday and tonight’s battle at Missouri State will be tough, Mattox is excited about the opportunity to get the upsets on the road.

“Anybody in the Valley is able to get beat at any time. There’s nothing we should be afraid of. We just have to keep our heads up from last weekend and go for it,” she said. “Sometimes, teams just go through droughts. Each player has times when they play well and times when they don’t. Since it’s been a little cloudy, the sun’s going to come out sometime. So, trying to keep a positive attitude about it.”

I I I

n Flying out west — Indiana State will fly to Springfield, Mo., to begin this weekend’s road trip.

The Sycamore seniors will be going for their first win against the Bears in their careers, home or away. ISU was 0-3 against Missouri State last season, falling to the Bears 84-79 on a neutral court in the semifinals of the MVC Tournament.

“As an added incentive, we haven’t beat them yet, Shannon, Deja and I, since we’ve been here,” Schoen said. “Missouri State’s always been a really smart team. That’s one of our biggest obstacles. We’re going to have to be on top of our defensive game, not only physically but mentally.”

The Bears average a league-best 72.8 points, led by the senior backcourt of Casey Garrison, Jaleshia Roberson and Jasmine Malone. With those guards, the Bears like to get up and down the court.

“Very good in transition. This is a team that is very comfortable at home,” said ISU assistant coach Cammie Campell, who has scouted the Bears. “They’re 11-6, they’re 6-1 at home. Very similar in the sense, we like to play at our home floor, they like to play at their home floor. They’re going to push the ball immediately, made basket, missed basket, it doesn’t matter. Anything quick, if they can score i the first 12 seconds of the shot clock, they want to score.”

Garrison, the 2010-11 Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year, is a 6-foot guard that shoots over 50 percent from the field.

“They can [make big runs]. They tend to go up and down. You’re looking at a team that’s kind of hit and miss, if they’re hitting shots,” Campbell said. “Anytime you’ve got Casey Garrison and they need a basket, they’re going to go to her. She’s extremely good off ball screens off handoffs. She’s very composed, very poised. It’s going to take a huge effort for us to stop her.”

With 6-1 senior Christiana Shorter, the Bears are well-rounded in the post as well.

“You’re still looking at very mobile post players. Most of them do not have range, but around the basket, they are very good. They’re very explosive, they post extremely hard, and they’re good rebounders,” Campbell said. We have to continue to move our feet. Staying in a stance is one of the most important things for us defensively.”

Wichita State is undefeated in the MVC behind its defense under fourth-year coach Jody Adams. The Shockers, who edged the Bears 53-51, have proven the ability to grind out victories against anyone.

The Shockers are on a 10-game winning streak, including their 7-0 start to Missouri Valley play. Adams has Wichita State playing the best defense in the league, holding teams to league-best marks of 57.2 points and shooting 37.4 percent from the field.

The Shockers are also getting quality shots, leading the league and ranking 26th in the NCAA at 43.6 percent from the field. Haleigh Lankster and Jessica Diamond are both averaging more than 12 points.

It’s a weekend coach Moren is excited to see how her team responds to a tough pair of losses at home.

“It’s a challenging weekend, it should be an exciting weekend, especially when you’re coming off two excruciating losses. If you’re not excited about the opportunity to compete and play, there’s something wrong with us,” Moren said.

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