Late Second Half Run Propels Ball State Past EMU, 56-34

Re-Listen to the Game.

MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team could not overcome a late offensive surge by Ball State University, falling, 56-34, in a Mid-American Conference contest Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Worthen Arena. The Eagles controlled the lead, 28-25, at the 12:28 mark of the second half, but the Cardinals ended the contest with an offensive barrage of 31 points over the game's final stretch.

Eastern (6-19, 4-8 MAC) held a 15-13 advantage at the half, but the Cardinals (12-13, 9-3 MAC) were able to outscore the Eagles 43-19 in the second stanza behind 16 points and 12 rebounds from freshman Nathalie Fontaine. The Eagles were led in scoring with eight points from both senior Taylor Bird (Lawrence, Kan. – Lawrence) and freshman Bianca Cage (Memphis, Tenn. – Southwind).

Both teams nearly shot identical from the floor as Eastern made 16-of-58 from the field, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, for a 27.6 shooting percentage. Ball State shot 27.7 percent from the floor, converting 18-of-65 buckets, including 6-of-20 from long range. The Cardinals were able to control the boards, 58-37, while also going 14-22 at the charity stripe. In contrast, EMU struggled with a 0-of-6 effort at the line.

The Eagles got on the board first with a Desyree Thomas (Waterford, Mich. – Mott) jumper from just inside the three point line. The stingy EMU defense was able to force miss shots and create turnovers early, but Ball State tied the game up two minutes in following a basket by Fontaine. Going into the first media timeout, the game was tied at two.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first 10 minutes of the game as EMU shot 2-of-15 from the floor while the home Cardinals made 2-of-13 shots, including one from beyond the arc, to lead 5-4 with 10:11 remaining in the first half.

India Hairston (Flint, Mich. – Hamady) broke a six-minute scoring drought for the Eagles with a jumper from the foul line to knot the game at six. However, Sara Stone (Plymouth, Mich. – Salem) committed her third first half foul on a converted Katie Murphy layup, and the BSU forward finished off the old-fashioned three point play to give the lead back to Ball State, 9-6, at the 7:17 mark of the opening stanza.

Trailing by one, back-to-back buckets by Bird gave Eastern a three-point lead. Ball State added a free-throw, but the Eagles held a 15-13 advantage going into the locker room.

Bird's four points led the Green and White in scoring for the first half as Eastern shot just 7-of-29 from the field for a 24.1 percent clip.

The Eagles' 2-3 zone defense caused problems for BSU throughout the first half, forcing 16 turnovers as the Cardinals only made 4-of-25 shots from the floor, including 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. The Cardinals did have the advantage on the boards, pulling down 28 compared to EMU's 17.

The Cardinals tied the game on their first possession of the second half. After stopping the Eagles, BSU regained the lead on an old-fashioned three-point play from Fontaine. With 16:25 remaining in the game, Cage put the Eagles on the board for the first time in the game's final 20 minutes to tie the contest up at 18 apiece. Following a free-throw to give Ball St. the lead, Bird continued to be the scoring threat for the Eagles as consecutive buckets gave Eastern a three-point lead. Once again, BSU tied the game up with a shot from long distance, 22-22.

With the Eagles holding a three-point cushion, BSU went on an 13-0 run in under two minutes of game action to take a 38-28 lead with 9:17 to go in the game. Iesha Collins (Chicago, Ill. – Bogan) finally ended the run and the four-minute dry spell with a jumper from the elbow. Nonetheless, a Ball State three increased the Cardinals' advantage to eleven, 41-30, at the 7:25 mark on the game clock.

EMU would not get any closer for the rest of the game as the Cardinals would end the game on a 31-6 run to take the victory, 56-34.

The Eagles will hit the hardwood next against Western Michigan University Saturday, Feb. 23, as part of a doubleheader at the Convocation Center. The EMU men's basketball team will face Missouri State University at noon, and women's hoops will follow thirty minutes following the conclusion of the men's contest.

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Team Stats

Taylor Bird

Bianca Cage

Iesha Collins

India Hairston

Eastern Michigan Athletics