Sports
Ball State Ends Ohio’s Convo Winning Streak
< < Back to ball-state-ends-ohio-convo-winning-streakThe Ball State Cardinals never trailed Saturday afternoon, as they made their first six shots from the field to go on to hand the Bobcats their first loss in the Convocation Center by a score of 79-63.
The Cardinals put on a shooting clinic in both halves, shooting nearly sixty-percent from the floor and landing four of their players in double-digit point totals. Ball State led by as many as 19 points in the first half and appeared to be the better team throughout the course of the game.
Ball State established a quick presence in the low block early and continually dumped balls in deep to standout sophomore guard Nathalie Fontaine. Fontaine finished with 20 points and four rebounds and led the Cardinals in scoring. When the Cardinals didn’t want to go down low, they had wide open options at the wing as Jill Morrison knocked down five of the six shots she attempted from beyond the arc. Morrison only averages 10 points a game this season thus far, but finished with 19 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
Kiyanna Black and Quiera Lampkins led the scoring for the Bobcats with 23 and 19, respectively. Black attempted 23 shots from the field, sinking nine of them. Lampkins also added six rebounds, four of which came off of the offensive glass.
The ‘Cats were momentum filled before tip, but head coach Bob Boldon and the players agree this is a game they want to forget.
“Not mentally tough enough to compete,” said Boldon. “The nice thing about not being real good, is you have plenty of this to work on.”
The free throw struggles also continued for the Ohio, as they finished 10-18 from the charity strike dropping their season average below sixty percent.
The Bobcats made a small push to cut the Cardinal lead to twelve late in the first half by forcing turnovers and snagging a few steals. Turnover margin has been a leading factor in Ohio's success thus far, but it was a different story Saturday afternoon. The ‘Cats had only given up 12 turnovers in their last two games but committed 20 against the quick Cardinal defense.
Ohio will look to rebound on Thursday January 23 on the road at Akron (8-8,2-3). Akron is coming of a 26-point victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes. With the loss, Ohio falls to 8-8 (3-2) on the season.