By Matt McKinney
Ball State’s winning streak was short-lived after an eventful Thanksgiving weekend of play.
The Cardinals went 1-1 over the weekend, with a 61-56 victory over Bethune Cookman and a 78-66 loss to Stetson. Both games were on the road for the Cardinals.
In Ball State’s win over Bethune Cookman, the Cardinals shot out to a 24-5 lead in the first half, thanks to 12 early points from freshman Nathalie Fontaine.
Ball State went into halftime with a comfortable 34-15 lead.
In the second half, it was Bethune Cookman’s time to shine. The Wildcats went on a run of its own, outscoring the Cardinals 28-3. The score was 46-38, in favor of Ball State with just more than eight minutes left.
Ball State then started to get into foul trouble. In fact, of the eight players that dress normally for the Cardinals, four of them — Katie Murphy, Shelbie Justice, Brittany Carter and Fontaine — fouled out, leaving Ball State with just four on the court to play against Bethune Cookman’s five.
Ball State was able to hold on for the win, thanks in part to senior Shanee’ Jackson, who hit two free throws to seal the game.
Fontaine led the game with 18 points, a new career high for the freshman.
In the second game of the weekend, Ball State played against Stetson on Sunday afternoon, losing 78-66.
Stetson led Ball State at halftime, 36-28.
Stetson also outscored Ball State in bench points Sunday afternoon, 34-7.
For Ball State, five different players scored in the double-digits, including Fontaine, who added 11 points to go along with nine rebounds, just one board shy of a double-double.
The Cardinals didn’t shoot poorly, but the Hatters shot 50 percent for the game, making 29 of their 58 shots. Stetson also made a new team-high of 14 three-pointers.
Ball State shot 43.6 percent for the contest, making 24-of-55 field goals on Sunday.
Ball State coach Brady Sallee was unavailable for comment for either game.
Ball State will take to the road again on Thursday for an away game against Murray State. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
