Final Stats
MUNCIE, IN - The University of Toledo women's basketball played its most complete game of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating Ball State, 78-64, in Mid-American Conference action in John E. Worthen Arena.
With the victory, the Rockets improve to 6-7 overall and 2-0 in the MAC, while the setback drops the Cardinals to 7-7 and 2-1 in the league.
"For the first time this season, we played a solid 40 minutes offensively," Toledo Head Coach Mark Ehlen said. "What makes it more special is we accomplished that against a good team like Ball State, which is coming off a 20-win season and returns four starters."
Senior Julie Hillis led five Rockets in double figures with 14 points and 12 rebounds. It is the first double-double of the season for UT and the second in Hillis' career. Other Rockets in double figures included junior Karin Hoogendam (12 pts.), senior Mary Blessing (11 pts.), senior Kelly Walker (10 pts.) and freshman Danielle Bishop (10 pts.). The five Rockets in double figures was a season high and the first time that feat was accomplished since Nov. 23, 2002 in their season-opener vs. Iona.
Toledo also received quality performances from reserves Crystal Young and Allison Lindborg. Young finished with eight points, five assists and three steals, while Lindborg tallied four points, two caroms and a blocked shot.
Toledo shot a season-best 49.3 percent (33-of-67) from the field, including 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three-point range. The Rockets also dished out 21 assists, while committing only 13 turnovers.
"Our team is starting to come together offensively," Hoogendam said. "We're starting to work better as a team and things are starting to click."
With Toledo trailing 22-19 and 9:52 remaining in the opening half, the Rockets would go on an 18-2 run over the next eight minutes to take control.
BSU's Kate Endress, the MAC's leading scorer at 20.2 points per game, converted two baskets late in the half to keep the home-team within striking distance and make the score, 41-29, at the intermission.
Toledo, though, would put the game out of reach in the first five minutes of the second half utilizing a 13-4 run to build a 20-point advantage.
Endress led Cardinal with a game-high 24 points. She was the only BSU player in double figures. Jessica Reiter added eight points and a game-high 16 rebounds. BSU shot 47.4 percent (27-of-57) from the field, but was held to 18.8 percent (3-of-16) shooting from beyond the arc.
"I think we created a lot of our points off our defense," Ehlen said. "We also knocked down some open looks and that is something we haven't been able to do a lot of early on."
Toledo will now head home for the first time in almost a month to battle Eastern Michigan on Tues., Jan. 13. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Hall. The Rockets have not played at home since Dec. 20 vs. Marquette, a span of 23 days.
