JONESBORO, AR - Toledo could not overcome a slow start and suffered a 64-56 setback at Arkansas State (2-2) on Sunday from the Convocation Center. With the loss, the Rockets fall to 3-2 on the season.
Senior Courtney Ingersoll led UT with 15 points and a squad-best three steals, while sophomore Andola Dortch had 10 points and a team-high five assists. Senior Haylie Linn and freshman Inma Zanoguera added nine points each in a losing effort.
Senior Naama Shafir did not play in today's contest. The 2011-12 MAC Player of the Year candidate injured her right knee in the first minute of action at Indiana on Friday and she will meet with UT's team physicians about her ailment early in the week.
The 2011 WNIT champions shot a respectable 48.8 percent (21-of-43) from the floor, but they hindered by 20 turnovers which the home team Red Wolves translated into 22 points.
The Midnight Blue & Gold were also hurt by its lack of getting to the charity stripe, converting only seven free throws, compared to ASU's 17 to fall to 0-3 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt Conference.
ASU started out like gangbusters hit a pair of triples in the first three-plus minutes to race out to a 10-4 lead, forcing UT into a timeout. Ashley Olvera and Meghan Lewis each knocked down a three-point field goal to give the home team the early six-point lead.
Moments later, Quinishia McDowell and Olvera connected on two more treys to open up a 22-9 advantage at 12:16. The Red Wolves duo combined to score 17 of the team's first 22 points.
The Rockets quickly responded though with an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to 22-20, forcing Arkansas State into a stoppage of play. Ingersoll and Linn each found the range from beyond the arc to make it a one-possession game.
ASU took advantage of the timeout and ended the half with a 15-5 burst to take a 37-25 lead into the intermission. Jane Morrill started the run with five-consecutive points, while Olvera accounted for a team-high seven points in the waning moments to establish a double-digit lead at the break.
The teams traded baskets to start the second half, before UT utilized a 12-2 run to make the score 44-41 with 11:39 left in regulation. Zanoguera contributed five points in the run, while Dortch was credited with a pair of baskets to again make it a one-possession game.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, the Red Wolves responded once again with a 7-0 run to establish an eight-point bulge, 51-43, at 8:34. Lunden Roberts nailed a triple and Morrill scored the other four points in the run.
UT would not go quietly though and Linn drilled a pair of three-pointers, while Dortch also drilled a shot from beyond the arc to cut the margin to 56-51 with 3:45 left in regulation.
Both teams missed shots on their ensuing possessions, before UT's Baumgartner converted a layup to knot the score at 56-56 with 2:36 left in regulation. It was the first time the score was tied since 4-4 at the 18:34 mark.
It did not remain tied for long though, as ASU's Andi Watson split a pair of free throws to give the home team the lead back for good.
The Red Wolves' Morrill followed with a triple and the home team put the game away with four charity tosses in the final minute.
Four of the five Arkansas State starters finished with double figures in the home victory, led by Olvera's game-high 20 points. Morrill added 15 points with a game-high four steals and McDowell and Lewis had 10 points each.
The Rockets will return to the hardwood on Thursday, Dec. 1 against Iona. Tipoff from Savage Arena is slated for 11:00 a.m. UT will host an inaugural Rocket Women's Basketball Educational Day in conjunction with its game against the Gaels. Schools from Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan are invited to spend the day in Savage Arena with the Rockets, as well as celebrate education and learning.
