Fouls sink Golden Eagles versus Ball State in last game in Las Vegas

Fouls sink Golden Eagles versus Ball State in last game in Las Vegas


By Jocelyn VerVelde, Sports Information Coordinator

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Fouls on the shooter got the better hand of the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon, as they were downed by the Ball State Cardinals, 76-64.

The Cardinals took 34 shots from the charity stripe, sinking 29. The Golden Eagles were granted only nine free throws, making just five.

Down 22-10 in the first half, freshman Catherine Taylor came off the bench and hit three consecutive three-point baskets to bring the score within three. A three by junior Diamond Henderson, tied the game, and a lay-up by junior Candace Parson gave the Golden Eagles their first lead, 24-22, since the 18:00 minute mark in the of the opening half.  However, the Golden Eagles were unable to keep the lead and ended the half down 39-36 to the Cardinals.  

Fouls plagued Tech in the opening of the second half as Ball State was in the bonus by the 16:40 mark. Twenty of BSU's 34 charity stripe shots came in the second period.

Tech was never able to gain momentum with the foul trouble despite cutting the lead to just nine at 8:40 in the second.

The Golden Eagles saw three different players score in the double-digits. Henderson scored 22 points for her third 20-plus point game in a row. She added four assists, three rebounds, and two steals to her stat line. Parson, in her best game of the season, finished with 12 points, eight boards, five of which were offensive, and added one steal. Senior Molly Heady added 12 points and six rebounds. Taylor's nine straight points marked a career-high for the freshman.

Ball State was led by four players in double-figures as Nathalie Fontaine finished with 16 points and 11 boards, Renee Bennett finished with 14, Brittany Carter dropped 15, and Jill Morrison finished with 15 points as well.

The Golden Eagles continue their road-trip next week as they head to Alcorn State on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT, and continue on to South Alabama on Saturday for another 7 p.m. game.