Ball State University
7-3
Evansville
1-9
Fontaine Scores Record 43 In Win Over Aces
December 22, 2015 | Women's Basketball
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Senior guard Nathalie Fontaine broke the Ball State women's basketball single-game scoring record after a career-high 43-point performance in the Cardinals' 73-53 victory at Evansville Monday night in the Ford Center. With the win, Ball State improves to 7-3 overall while the Purple Aces drop to 1-9 on the year.
Fontaine becomes the first Cardinal in more than 12 years to break the Ball State women's basketball single-game scoring record, which was held by Tamara Bowie (1999-03). Bowie scored 40 points twice, once in 2003 and in 2001.
With her 43 points, Fontaine was the only Cardinal to be sent to the free throw line making 11-of-13 from the charity stripe. She also shot 66 percent from the field (16-of-24).
The Cardinals limited themselves to only 12 turnovers against the Purple Aces which marks a season-best for Ball State. For the game, Ball State controlled play in the paint outscoring Evansville, 32-8. The Cardinals also forced the Purple Aces to turn the ball over 18 times scoring 22 points off of Evansville's miscues. Ball State also won the boards over Evansville, 38-to-34.
After the half, the Cardinals went on a 26-8 run to take a commanding 54-36 lead over the Purple Aces in the third quarter. Fontaine out-scored Evansville 19-to-8 during that 10 minute stretch. The Cardinals closed out the second half by shooting 58.6 percent (17-of-29) while the Purple Aces were held to 28 percent shooting from the field, only scoring eight points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth.
The Cardinals led 21-17 after one quarter of play, despite having a 10-point lead (18-8) at the 3:52 mark. Evansville managed to cut Ball State's early advantage after closing out the first stanza with a 9-3 run. The Purple Aces continued to fight in the second quarter outscoring the Cardinals 11-to-7 to end the half tied, 28-28.
The Ball State women's basketball team returns home on Monday, Dec. 28, to take on Saint Louis at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena for its final non-conference game of the regular season.
