Ball State University
0-1
Charlotte
1-0
WBB Loses Season Opener At Charlotte, 72-66
November 14, 2015 | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Ball State women's basketball team suffered a 72-66 loss at Charlotte Friday night in its 2015-16 season opener in Halton Arena.
The Cardinals (0-1) trailed the 49ers (1-0) by 18 points (58-40) with 9:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.
As the game continued, Ball State would chip away at Charlotte's large lead making it a 64-56 ball game at the 3:13 mark. Jill Morrison and Moriah Monaco along with a layup from Nathalie Fontaine allowed Ball State to come within four points (68-64) with 22 seconds on the clock. The Cardinals were then forced to foul the 49ers in order to stop the clock. Charlotte would make its free throws down the stretch, going 4-for-4 from the line to secure the victory.
Ball State led at the start of the contest after Morrison opened the game with a three-point basket. The Cardinals trailed the 49ers the remainder of the first and second quarters.
After trailing by six (33-27) at the half, Ball State began the third quarter with a 9-0 run to put the Cardinals up by three (36-33) over Charlotte at the 7:30 mark. During that run, baskets from Monaco, Fontaine and two free throws from Carmen Grande helped the Cardinals regain control.
But Charlotte's strong shooting from behind the arc, which was better than 42 percent the majority of the contest, was too much for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals were led by Monaco, who had 18 points on the night, while teammates Fontaine and Morrison each scored 14 points apiece. Renee Bennett rounded out the double-digit scoring after chipping in 10 points and led the team defensively with nine rebounds.
As a team, Ball State led in most categories, including scoring 30 points in the paint to Charlotte's eight points. The Cardinals also led in second chance points (11-to-6), fast break points (11-to-8), field goal percentage (38.7-to-35.6) and steals (11-to-9). The 49ers out rebounded the Cardinals by one (41-to-40).
The Ball State women's basketball team now returns to Worthen Arena for a two-game home stand when it hosts Western Kentucky (Nov. 19) and Austin Peay (Nov. 23) at 7 p.m.
