TERRE HAUTE — Chelsea Buher lit up scoreboards not far from Terre Haute during her high school days at Lawrenceville, Ill.
Then after Buher played sparingly for the University of Illinois as a freshman in 2007-08, she sat out last season due to transfer rules. So she’s not a newcomer to the Indiana State program, but she’s new to game action in Hulman Center.
The 6-foot guard hopes to get back to playing big minutes this winter, and the sophomore could be one of several “newcomers” to provide important minutes and energy off the bench for the Sycamores.
Buher’s role in Sunday’s exhibition game against Bellarmine was a sign she could be an important piece of the puzzle for the Sycamores this season.
“I told coach [Jim] Wiedie coming off the floor that was probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time because it’s been such a long time since I’ve been on the court,” Buher said.
In 19 minutes, Buher was second on the team with eight shot attempts and she contributed all across the stat line with seven points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals.
As one of the first two players off the bench, Buher made a head-first dive to secure a loose ball and lunged to the floor after another loose ball in the game’s first six minutes.
“Yeah that’s my gameplay. A lot of people were probably freaking out because I’ve had some back problems. When the ball goes up, I give it my all,” Buher said.
Along with some other players, the sophomore will provide depth that the Sycamores have lacked the last couple seasons.
“I think we have a very deep bench. I think that’s where we’re going to get teams,” Buher said.
Wiedie is getting a feel for the variety of combinations he could use with this year’s team. Buher will be one of several players who give Wiedie and his coaching staff the chance to be creative defensively. At times, Buher was at the point of ISU’s zone defense.
Another potentially strong defender at the point is freshman Taylor Whitley, who showed good speed and quick hands while making three steals in 15 minutes Sunday.
ISU senior captain Kelsey Luna can see the impact Buher and Whitley could bring with their intensity.
“They definitely bring energy to the floor,” Luna said. “Chelsea had some good hustle plays. As a senior, I appreciate that.”
Whitley could play big minutes at point guard for the Sycamores, providing a contrast to Luna, one of the top 3-point shooters in the nation last season.
“Taylor is 90 miles an hour, coast to coast, but Luna is more picking her spots and looking to shoot the 3,” Wiedie said. “It’s going to be fun to rotate those two in at the point guard. Ultimately, I think I’d want to move Luna to the [shooting guard position], just to get her more shot opportunities.”
Freshman Moriah Hodge was also productive off the bench in ISU’s 84-52 victory Sunday against Bellarmine, grabbing five rebounds and scoring seven points in 14 minutes.
With seniors Laurence Rivest and Sara Paul available off the bench as well, the Sycamores will have many lineup options.
“Especially if we can get Andrea Rademacher back, I think it’s one of the deeper teams we’ve had in a long time, probably the most versatile team we’ve had, even going back to the ‘05-’06 team with coach [Melanie] Boeglin,” Wiedie said.
Up next
• The Sycamores are in action again Sunday in Hulman Center against Southern Indiana. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
College
Added depth could make ISU women's basketball even stronger
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ISU hurdler Swift becomes 5th Sycamore to make NCAAs
Indiana State sophomore Greggmar Swift became the second member of the men’s team and the fifth Sycamore overall to qualify for the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Finals at Drake University, placing second in the second heat of the 110 meter hurdle quarterfinals Saturday at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
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Sycamores try to catch Missouri Valley Conference tourney vibe
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FROM THE PRESS BOX: Subtle switch has fostered MVC baseball parity
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ISU claims Missouri Valley Conference baseball title
Entering Thursday’s game against Indiana State, Missouri State starting pitcher Nick Petree had gone 72 1/3 innings without surrendering an earned run, an unofficial NCAA record.
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Win over SIU puts Sycamores in first place
As Indiana State’s baseball team tried to climb to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference mountain on Saturday against Southern Illinois, it stood to reason that the air would get more rarefied as they neared the summit.
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Major Clay takes fourth straight MVC high jump title
For the fourth straight year, Indiana State’s Major Clay will climb to the top spot on the awards podium as the Sycamore captured his fourth high jump championship at the 2012 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday.
The competition was conducted at Cessna Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University. -
Edgewood takes Western Indiana Conference golf crown
Edgewood and senior Jackson Cowden took top honors in the Western Indiana Conference boys golf championship played Saturday at Idle Creek.
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North grad wins 10,000 at Big Ten Championships
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Top-seeded Rose-Hulman falls in opener of HCAC Tournament
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ISU's Ort getting hot at right time for Sycamores
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Terre Haute native getting national attention as freshman for Kentucky
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Top seed, home field doesn’t guarantee Rose success
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Metro roundup: ISU’s Lucas honored by Missouri Valley again
For the fifth time in the last nine weeks, Indiana State junior catcher Jeremy Lucas has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
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Sycamores top Shockers in 10 innings in MVC series opener
If free baseball is what you want, Indiana State has what you need. For the sixth time in the span of a month, ISU’s series opener went extra innings.
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ISU starting pitchers in rhythm heading into Wichita State series
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ISU goes to well too many times
Perhaps the most unnecessary pursuit for a Wabash Valley sports fan during the now-completed weekend was watching the first few innings of nonconference college baseball between Indiana State and visiting Nebraska-Omaha.
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ISU baseball living on the edge
Indiana State’s baseball team got its game against Nebraska-Omaha in Saturday between morning and evening rain showers. But in the wake of another walk-off 3-2 victory against the struggling Mavericks, one might be forgiven if they felt the Sycamores are walking between the raindrops a bit.
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PREP ROUNDUP: North Central baseball improves to 10-2
North Central lost a 7-1 game to Vincennes Rivet, and then Nolan Kinnett pitched the Thunderbirds to victory, adding a double and three RBIs against Riverton Parke in a pair of high school baseball games on Saturday.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Jenkins, Goatee win inaugural Rush the Punter 5K
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Providing perspective: ISU’s vets have 2009 as window into 2012
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