Ball State falls in 1st round of WNIT

Junior Nathalie Fontaine goes up for a lay-up during the game against Ohio on Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Junior Nathalie Fontaine goes up for a lay-up during the game against Ohio on Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Ball State Leading Scorers

Fontaine - 15

Bennett - 12

Morrison - 11

The postseason for the Ball State women's basketball team came to an end on Thursday night, as it fell to Middle Tennessee 69-58 on the road.

Ball State finished the season with a 17-13 record overall.

The Cardinals and Blue Raiders battled back and forth for the first 10 minutes of the game, neither team gaining more than a three-point lead. 

The Blue Raiders went on an 11-2 run over the next five minutes, however, and went into halftime with a 13-point lead.

"We were just too soft at times, and they took advantage of us and really had us on our heels," head coach Brady Sallee said.

Middle Tennessee carried its momentum into the second half, jumping out to a 22-point lead. 

The Cardinals turned the ball over 20 times in the game, and Middle Tennessee turned those mistakes into 18 points. 

Offensively, Ball State shot 32 percent from the field in the game. Junior Nathalie Fontaine led the team with 15 points, while sophomores Renee Bennett and Jill Morrison scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

In her last game as a Cardinal, senior Shelbie Justice scored seven points.

A 21-5 run cut the Middle Tennessee led to seven with five minutes left. However, the Blue Raiders held onto their lead and advanced to the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

"We just buried ourselves too early in the game, and when you face a good program like Middle Tennessee, you can't do that or you won't have a chance," Sallee said.

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