Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
4-7
St. Louis
7-6
WBB Loses To Saint Louis 73-68 In Overtime
December 31, 2014 | Women's Basketball
SAINT LOUIS, Mo. – The Ball State women's basketball closed out non-conference action with a 73-68 overtime loss at Saint Louis Tuesday night in Chaifetz Arena. With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 4-7 on the season while the Billikens improve their overall record to 7-6.
The Cardinals were led by a 15-point performance from Jill Morrison. Nathalie Fontaine and Shelbie Justice each had 14-points on the night while also adding six rebounds apiece.
The Billikens controlled the majority of the second half eventually building a seven-point (52-45) lead over the Cardinals with 6:47 remaining. Ball State would then orchestrate a 13-2 run to take its first lead of the contest (58-54) with 1:57 remaining. During the run, Shelby Merder hit back-to-back three point baskets while Candyce Ussery added five points to the scoring spree.
After the Cardinals clawed their way back into the ball game, time was running out, Justice nailed one from behind the arc to make it 61-58 with under a minute remaining but Olivia Jakubicek of Saint Louis answered back with a three-point basket to tie the game 61-61 to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Morrison opened with a layup but Saint Louis would score the next nine points to go up 70-61 with under a minute left. Saint Louis would foul Fontaine, Ussery and Justice allowing them to make five-of-six from the charity stripe bring Ball State within two (70-68), but the Billikens would lead the remainder of the game and claim the 73-68 win.
Saint Louis started the game off with a 14-5 run by the 15:31 mark in the first half. Ball State would then answer with an 11-2 run to knot the score 16-16 against the Billikens at the 12:33 mark with help from Fontaine, Morrison and Justice.
After that, the Billikens continued to control the first half eventually building a nine-point (35-26) advantage over the Cardinals at the 2:57 mark. Ball State would end the half with a 5-0 run to only trail Saint Louis 35-31 at intermission.
The Ball State women's basketball team will begin Mid-American Conference action when it takes on Bowling Green at the Stroh Center Saturday for a 4 p.m. tipoff. Saturday's game against the Falcons will mark the 60th time in program history the two schools have met with Bowling Green leading the all-time series 44-15.
