Ball State University Athletics
Bolte Leads Ball State to Win in Opener
November 19, 2005 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals built a double digit advantage with just under seven minutes elapsed and ended the first-half on a roll with a 50-28 advantage. BSU converted 55.9 percent of its shots (19-of-34), including a blazing 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, over the first 20 minutes. Bolte was a perfect 4-of-4 on her trey tries and 6-of-9 overall from the floor to accumulate 16 first-half points. Murray State, meanwhile, shot just 39.4 percent from the floor on 13-of-33.
The Cardinals added to their advantage going up by 26 points on Bolte's fifth 3-pointer combined with a free throw by Raechelle Hampton with 18:48 left in the game. Murray State responded by scoring 10 unanswered points and a 19-2 run that closed the gap to just nine points at 56-47 at the 13:35 mark. A 19-8 Ball State run fueled by 11 points from Julie DeMuth on a pair of three's and a 4-of-4 showing from the line put the game out of reach.
"Tina certainly got us going offensively," BSU head coach Tracy Roller said. "I've been telling people all along that she would be looked to to fill the scoring gap created by Kate's (Endress) graduation and she proved that tonight.
"We are a young team and we showed that tonight with some mistakes in the second half. However, our veterans gave us the poise when we needed it during their (Murray State's) run. I am proud of the team and I feel like we are in mid-season form right now. The kids are really clicking and it's great to see."
Besides the 27-point effort of Bolte, DeMuth added 21 points. Kelsey Corbin notched her second career double-assist mark with 10, while contributing nine points. Hampton led BSU on the boards with nine points.
The Cardinals shot 45 percent (32-of-71) for the game, including 11-of-22 from 3-point range. BSU converted 15-of-24 free throw tries and was edged on the board 45-44.
Ball State opens a five-game home stand Tuesday when it entertains Evansville. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
