Wednesday, December 21
Bowling Green, Ky.
6:30 PM
Ball State University
6-5
61
at
68
Western Kentucky
8-4
1
2
3
4
F
Ball State
12
9
26
14
61
WKU
15
22
16
15
68
Second Half Surge Not Enough As WBB Falls At WKU, 68-61
December 21, 2016 | Women's Basketball
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Ball State women's basketball team lost a 68-61 hard fought battle to Western Kentucky Wednesday night despite its second half surge. The Cardinals were led by Jill Morrison who scored 18-points which included four from behind the arc.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 6-5 on the season while the Lady Toppers improve to 8-4.
Besides Morrison, Ball State had two other players reach double figures - junior forward Moriah Monaco (12) and senior center Renee Bennett (11). Bennett also led the Cardinals defensively with eight rebounds.
For the game, both teams had 30 rebounds apiece and shot similarly from the floor. Ball State again won the points in the paint battle, 30 to 18.
After suffering a loss to Lipscomb last Sunday at home, the Cardinals came out strong defensively in the first quarter against the Lady Toppers. Sophomore guard Carmen Grande started the game with a jumper to give Ball State the 2-0 lead over Western Kentucky. After that, both teams traded baskets which resulted in four ties and three lead changes.
With the Cardinals trailing by three (15-12) at the start of the second quarter, both teams went scoreless up until the 8:08 mark when Morrison hit a jumper to bring Ball State within one (15-14). But that was as close as Ball State could get the remainder of the half. Western Kentucky would orchestrate a 22-7 scoring spree to take a commanding 37-21 lead over the Cardinals at intermission.
Ball State regained its confidence and began to battle back to open the second half with a 14-2 run that would cut Western Kentucky's 16-point halftime advantage to seven (42-35) at the 5:46 mark of the third quarter. During that run, the Cardinals got help from Bennett, Monaco, Morrison and junior guard Frannie Frazier who capped the run off with a layup.
The Cardinals continued to compete in the fourth quarter, eventually coming to within three on four different occasions. The last one came with just 2:06 remaining when Morrison knocked down a 3-point basket to make the score, 64-61. Ball State had opportunities to at least tie the game but committed three crucial turnovers allowing the Lady Toppers to score on those possessions and win the contest.
The Ball State women's basketball team will close its non-conference season when it hosts Urbana Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals will then begin Mid-American Conference action on the road at Toledo on New Year's Eve with a noon tipoff in John F. Savage Arena.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 6-5 on the season while the Lady Toppers improve to 8-4.
Besides Morrison, Ball State had two other players reach double figures - junior forward Moriah Monaco (12) and senior center Renee Bennett (11). Bennett also led the Cardinals defensively with eight rebounds.
For the game, both teams had 30 rebounds apiece and shot similarly from the floor. Ball State again won the points in the paint battle, 30 to 18.
After suffering a loss to Lipscomb last Sunday at home, the Cardinals came out strong defensively in the first quarter against the Lady Toppers. Sophomore guard Carmen Grande started the game with a jumper to give Ball State the 2-0 lead over Western Kentucky. After that, both teams traded baskets which resulted in four ties and three lead changes.
With the Cardinals trailing by three (15-12) at the start of the second quarter, both teams went scoreless up until the 8:08 mark when Morrison hit a jumper to bring Ball State within one (15-14). But that was as close as Ball State could get the remainder of the half. Western Kentucky would orchestrate a 22-7 scoring spree to take a commanding 37-21 lead over the Cardinals at intermission.
Ball State regained its confidence and began to battle back to open the second half with a 14-2 run that would cut Western Kentucky's 16-point halftime advantage to seven (42-35) at the 5:46 mark of the third quarter. During that run, the Cardinals got help from Bennett, Monaco, Morrison and junior guard Frannie Frazier who capped the run off with a layup.
The Cardinals continued to compete in the fourth quarter, eventually coming to within three on four different occasions. The last one came with just 2:06 remaining when Morrison knocked down a 3-point basket to make the score, 64-61. Ball State had opportunities to at least tie the game but committed three crucial turnovers allowing the Lady Toppers to score on those possessions and win the contest.
The Ball State women's basketball team will close its non-conference season when it hosts Urbana Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals will then begin Mid-American Conference action on the road at Toledo on New Year's Eve with a noon tipoff in John F. Savage Arena.
Team Stats
BALLST
WKU
FG%
.460
.462
3FG%
.429
.391
FT%
.643
.846
RB
30
30
TO
18
14
STL
8
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
C
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