Comeback Falls Short at Ball State 53-46

Monday, November 19

Muncie, Ind.

7:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

1-2

Ball State

1-3

IPFW

Ball State University

Photo by: Lucas Carter

11/19/2012 9:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. --The IPFW women's basketball team erased an 11 point second half deficit and trimmed the Ball State lead to one at 42-41, but the Cardinals were able to hold off the IPFW comeback winning by the final score of 53-46.

IPFW faced Ball State for just the fourth time in program history on Monday night. The Mastodons got off to a sluggish start in their first road game of the year as they trailed 6-0 just two minutes into the game. Rebecca Bruner scored the first two points of the game for IPFW and Haley Seibert hit a 3-point field goal early, but IPFW was forced to play from behind as they trailed 26-19 at the half.

The Mastodons made halftime adjustments and came out firing in the second half after just shooting 29 percent from the floor in the first. IPFW was able to cut the Ball State lead to four with nearly 14 minutes remaining, but the Cardinals expanded the lead back to 10 with 9:26 to play.

Rachel Mauk made a layup off an assist from Seibert and Stefanie Mauk followed up with a 3-point field goal that made the score 42-37. IPFW got within one point at 42-41 after a fast break score from Amanda Hyde, but the Mastodons couldn't stop Nathalie Fontaine down the stretch as they fall to 1-2 on the year.

Fontaine scored 15 points for the Cardinals on 6-of-13 shooting. She scored 11 straight points for the Cardinals from the 10 minute mark in the second half to the three minute mark. Shelbie Justice iced the game for Ball State by hitting three free throws during the final second of the game.

Amanda Hyde was the leading scorer for IPFW on Monday night. She finished the game with 15 points and five rebounds. The only other Mastodon to reach double figure scoring was Erin Murphy who lit up Ball State with 14 points off the bench. Rebecca Bruner, Stefanie Mauk, and Seibert all finished the game with five points.

The Mastodons will return to action with a home game against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 24. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

~ Feel the Rumble ~