Ball State University Athletics
Bolte's Bomb Sinks Hoosier Lady Stars
November 13, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Ball State-Hoosier Lady Stars Box
Tina Bolte hit a long bomb from the baseline as time expired to catapult Ball State to a 94-93 exhibition victory over the Hoosier Lady Stars Sunday at Worthen Arena. Her winning shot put an end to the Stars' furious second-half comeback attempt and gave BSU a perfect 2-0 mark in exhibition play.
Ball State turned in a nearly flawless first half -- particularly on offense -- when the Cardinals were in command nearly all 20 minutes trailing by no more than two points early on. A layup by Stephanie Douglas gave BSU its first double-digit lead of 31-20 with 10:26 remaining in the stanza. The Cardinals managed to build a lead of 19 points with under four minutes and then maintained that edge by taking a 57-38 lead into the halftime break. BSU converted 55.6 percent of its field goals (20-of-36), including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, and was a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe. Kelsey Corbin led the way with 11 points and Krista Stewart provided a spark off the bench with 10 scores. The Cardinals forced the Stars into 10 turnovers over the first 20 minutes of action.
It was much of the same for most of the second half as Ball State held onto a double-digit advantage over the first 12 minutes. After the Stars pared down their deficit to 10 points at the 7:08 mark, former Toledo standout Tia Davis hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and, after a missed attempt by the Cardinals, added two free throws to put the Stars within six points at 80-74 with 6:13 remaining. Ball State freshman Dana Moorman answered with a baseline trey, but a 6-0 run by the Stars -- including layups from Charliss Ridley, Kina Brown and former BSU star Johna Goff -- put the game on the burner at 83-80 with 4:05 left.
Stewart immediately responded with a 3-pointer, giving BSU a 3-point lead. After trading free throws, Davis made good on an old fashioned 3-point play and then Ridley hit a long bomb to knot the game at 88-88 at the 2:30 mark. A free throw by Corbin and a layup by Julie DeMuth gave the advantage back to BSU, but five unanswered points by Davis gave the Stars a 93-91 advantage with 12 seconds remaining to set up Bolte's winning shot.
After a timeout at midcourt with seven seconds on the clock, the Cardinals put the ball into play and then Corbin found Bolte on the left baseline for the game winner.
"That was definitely a drawn-up play and the kids executed it perfectly," BSU head coach Tracy Roller said. "It should not have come down to a last-second shot, but it's early. While I was happy with our offense and proud of the way the kids hung in there down the stretch when the Lady Stars were making their comeback, I was not happy with our defense. I thought it lacked for most of the game. We were lucky they were unable to capitalize in the first half, but, in the second half, it was a different story. Our defensive system just hasn't come together yet. Give credit to the Hoosier Lady Stars, because they have a great team."
Corbin led a pack of five Ball State players who scored in double digits with her 17 points. Stewart contributed 13 off the bench. DeMuth and Bolte added 12 each, while freshman Kiley Jarrett had 10 off the bench. Davis led all scorers with her 33-point effort. Ridley added 21 points, while Kina Brown and Angie Nelp chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively. DeMuth tied for game-high honors with her team-leading seven rebounds. Jarrett and Lisa Rusche had three steals apiece to pace BSU defensively.
Ball State opens its 2005-06 campaign Saturday at Murray State with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
