The Ball State women's basketball team struggled both offensively and defensively in a 91-69 loss to the Toledo Rockets.-á
"Probably just our execution," head coach Tracy Roller said about what was most disappointing. "We can't get a full game of complete execution."
The fast-paced first half was a tale of two players for the Cardinals. Up until 1:17 left in the half, junior Kate Endress and senior Jessica Reiter were Ball State's only two scorers.
Endress got the first point of the game on a free throw, but after taking two one-point leads in the early minutes, the Cardinals let Toledo build an advantage. The Rockets got their first double-digit lead at the 13:38 mark with a free throw from Kelly Walker.
With 12:19 left in the first half, the Cardinals got their first points from someone besides Endress when senior Jessica Reiter hit two free throws. She got two more off of a layup seconds later, which got Ball State within six at 20-14. Reiter would get one more basket with 9:01 remaining in the first half before the Cardinals went on a drought in which they scored only free throws until the 1:17 mark.
It was then that senior Julie Just hit a 3-pointer to put a stop to Toledo's 10-1 run. Senior Johna Goff scored five points in the final minute, including a long two-pointer at the buzzer to put the Cardinals within 14 at 42-28.
Endress led first half scoring with 13 points, while Reiter had eight with six rebounds. The Cardinals shot 35 percent from the floor while the Rockets shot 42 percent. Toledo's Karin Hoogendam ended the half with 14 points and eight rebounds.-á-á
After the Cardinals opened the second half with two consecutive baskets from Endress and freshman Kelsey Corbin, the Ball State defense let Toledo score 15 straight to go up 57-32.
Ball State would stop the run but could never get closer than 20 points the remainder of the game.
After scoring 24 points the first time the two teams meet, Endress ended the game with 26, three points shy of her career high. Reiter got her eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Goff and freshman Tina Bolte also finished in double-figures with 10 and 11 points respectively.
Toledo had four players in double figures, including Walker who had the team high 21 points. Hoogendam and Julie Hillis each had nine rebounds to go with their 18 and 14 points, respectively. Danielle Bishop was the other Rocket in double figures with 10 points.-á
In their first meeting, the Rockets shot their season-best shooting percentage with 49 percent from the floor. They nearly did it again Tuesday night, shooting 47 percent, while the Cardinals shot 40 percent.
"We just haven't clicked yet," Roller said. "That's the only thing I can think of."
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