Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ball State
Chippewas Fall in Double-OT Thriller, 81-78
1/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2005
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Two game-saving defensive stands and a career-high 26 points from senior Lindy Hatfield were not enough for the Central Michigan University women's basketball team in an 81-78 double-overtime loss at Ball State on Saturday afternoon.
With the game tied and Ball State with a chance to win it, CMU's defense stepped up at both the end of regulation and the end of the first overtime with key stops. The third time wasn't a charm as the Cardinals ended the game on a 5-0 BSU run after CMU led 78-76.
Hatfield was on fire throughout the game, sinking 10 of her 12 shots, including going 5-for-6 from three-point range. CMU trailed 74-70 with 41 seconds left in the first extra period and it was her four-point play that sent the contest to a dramatic fourth period.
The Chippewas held an early 10-point lead, 32-22, but Ball State went on an 11-0 run that extended two minutes into the second half. It was nip-and-tuck the rest of the way with 17 lead changes in the game.
Casey Manning had a pair of big buckets in the final minute of regulation. She gave CMU a one-point advantage on a jumper but the Cardinals Julie DeMuth put BSU up by two with 25 seconds left on a trey. Manning tied it in dramatic fashion as CMU scored on an out-of-bounds play with just three ticks left on the shotclock. The Cardinals got a good look a game-winning shot but it was in-and-out.
After Hatfield's game-tying four-point play in the first OT, center Chasidy Myers made a key block with three seconds left that kept the score tied.
BSU used a balanced inside-outside attack with nine three-pointers and 46 points in the paint. Most of the paint points were second chance efforts as the Cardinals hauled in 28 offensive rebounds. CMU was outrebouned 59-51.
Hatfield added seven rebounds and four assists with her career-high scoring effort. Manning nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight assists. Point guard Erin Kuhl had 10 points, six boards and nine assists.
Also posting solid games were Ann Skufca with nine points and seven boards and Dana Westover with eight point and nine boards.
Four Cardinals were in double figures with Kate Endress tallying a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The Chippewas shot 45 percent from the floor going 33-for-73 while CMU held Ball State to a .333 field goal percentage at 29-for-88. Neither team shot well from the foul line but the Cardinals made 14-of-27 attempts for 52 percent while CMU connected on 7-of-13 attempts for 54 percent.
