Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
11-10 (7-3MAC)
Toledo
12-9 (5-5MAC)
Fontaine's Double-Double Lifts WBB Past Toledo, 69-61
February 07, 2015 | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio – Behind Nathalie Fontaine's 20-point performance the Ball State women's basketball team defeated Toledo 69-61 in Mid-American Conference action Saturday afternoon in Savage Arena.
With the win the Cardinals improve to 11-10 overall and 7-3 in the MAC while Toledo drops to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in league action.
Today's victory over the Rockets marks the first time the Cardinals have defeated Toledo at Savage Arena since the 2009 season.
Ball State had four players score in double figures with Fontaine leading the way with 20-points and 11-rebounds. Shelbie Justice had 17-points for the game. Moriah Monaco chipped in 12-points while Jill Morrison ended the day with 10.
The Rockets opened the second half with a 5-0 run to cut Ball State's halftime lead to four (32-28) with just two minutes shaved off the clock. The Cardinals would quickly answer with a 15-2 scoring spree that would give Ball State its largest cushion of the ball game (47-30) with 11:14 left to play.
The Rockets then answered with a 19-8 run of their own to cut Ball State's 17-point lead to within six (55-49) with just over five minutes remaining in the contest. Monaco would break the streak with a three-point basket at the 3:49 mark to put the Cardinals back up by nine (58-49). After that, Ball State would remain in control the remainder of the half despite Toledo's efforts. Ball State would make its free throws down the stretch to secure the 69-61victory.
The first half resulted in four ties and three lead changes up until the 11:44 mark when the Cardinals put together a 13-5 scoring spree which was sparked by a layup from Fontaine at the 12:19 mark. During that run, Justice nailed two three-point baskets, one of which put Ball State up by eight (22-14) with 7:15 remaining.
Toledo would then put on a defensive display that would hold the Cardinals scoreless for over the next four minutes of play. But the Cardinals closed the half scoring 10-points in a span of three minutes to take a 32-23 advantage over the Rockets at intermission.
The Ball State women's basketball team continues Mid-American Conference action on the road when it travels to Eastern Michigan Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff in the Convocation Center.
