Eagles Drop MAC Opener to Ball State, 54-51

MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball squad opened up Mid-American Conference play with a 54-51 setback against host Ball State University Thursday night, Jan. 5, at Worthen Arena.

EMU has a chance to force overtime as they faced a three-point deficit with just 14.4 seconds on the clock, but the Eagles could not manage to put up a shot, allowing the Cardinals to secure the victory.

Tavelyn James led all EMU scorers with 20 points on a 6-of-12 (50 percent) shooting effort this evening. India Hairston sank 3-of-5 with eight points and snagged a team-high nine boards.

The Eagles shot 16-of-54 in the contest for a 29.6 percent effort from the floor. EMU scored 25 points off of 25 BSU turnovers, and out-rebounded the Cardinals, 42-41.

BSU hit 19-of-55 shots (34.5 percent) and drained 7-of-17 from beyond the arc. Jazmin Hutchens led the Cardinals with 16 points, while Brittany Carter chipped in with 14.

Despite struggling with a 25.9 percent (7-of-27) mark from the floor in the opening half, the Green and White fought its way to the free throw line 17 times in the first 20 minutes of play to help the Eagles to 15 of their 29 first half points. Four different Eagles made it to the charity stripe, with James sinking 8-of-9 attempts from the line.

Ball State shot just 23.3 percent on 7-of-30 shooting in the half and gave up 16 points off of turnovers.

The Eagles wasted no time in taking an early lead, jumping ahead 5-0 on a James bucket and free throw along with two points from Olivia Fouty in the paint. The home team would soon bring it to within one, 9-8, but EMU strung together a six-point run while also holding the Cardinals scoreless for over four minutes of play. BSU eventually clawed away to even the score at 15 on a bucket by Hitchens with 8:01 on the clock.

Taylor Bird sank a free throw soon after to reclaim EMU's lead, and a shot clock violation and offensive foul on two consecutive BSU possessions gave the Eagles an opportunity to extend its lead. Iesha Collins checked into the contest and was quickly fouled on a jumper from the top of the key. She sank both free throws to put the Green and White up, 18-15, with just over six minutes left in the half.

Ball State would not relent however, responding with a three-point play at the other end. Mercedes Miller drew an EMU foul after sinking a layup off of the high glass and then sank the following free throw to knot the score at 20 points apiece.

James would net seven of her 16 first-half points over the last four minutes until the break to help EMU to string together a 9-2 run. India Hairston added another two points for the Eagles before EMU headed into the locker room with a 29-22 advantage.

After 5:35 into the half, Ball State's Shanee Jackson hit a triple from long range to cut EMU's lead to a one possession game at 35-32, and an eventual pair of free throws by Hitchens tied it up for the third time in the contest.

Desyee Thomas' first field goal of the evening gave her squad a five point lead with just over seven minutes remaining, but the home team rallied to take a late lead in the contest. Costly EMU turnovers led to four unanswered points in the waning minutes of the game to give the Cardinals a 52-51 lead.

BSU's Brandy Woody registered two more points with only 38 seconds in regulation and Brittany Carter was fouled and sent to the line in a bonus situation to try to create a two possession lead, but her missed free throw ended up sailing out of bounds to give the Eagles one last opportunity with 14.4 left.

Unfortunately, EMU could not muster up its final shot, leading Ball State to clinch the 54-51 victory.

The Eagles will return to action Sunday, Jan. 8, when they host Northern Illinois in another MAC matchup set for 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Mich.

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Team Stats

Tavelyn James

Desyree Thomas

India Hairston

Olivia Fouty

Eastern Michigan Athletics