ALLENTOWN, Pa.- The Mighty Mac women's basketball team (3-14, 2-6 CSAC) battled back from a double digit second half deficit to tie the game midway through the fourth quarter, but Cedar Crest went on a 9-0 run to take command and deal the Macs a 66-58 defeat in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play on Wednesday night.
 
The Macs were unable to overcome some hot shooting from Cedar Crest, who knocked down 11 of their 17 three point attempts.
 
Freshman Natalie Ayoub had 16 points to lead IU while junior Amber Ballinger, sophomore Annie Kohutka, and freshman Theresa Kearney all had 11 points in the loss.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Falcons held a six point advantage at the break of 29-23 and ran that lead up to 10 points at 40-30 with 4:17 left in the third quarter
-The Macs tried to cut into the lead, but the Falcons ballooned the advantage to 12 points at 50-38 entering the fourth quarter
-The Mighty Macs then came storming back into the game to start the fourth quarter on the strength of the three pointer
-Ballinger hit back-to-back three pointers to cut the deficit to six and it was a three point game at 50-47 after a lay-up and later a free throw by Ayoub
-Ballinger then tied it with her third three of the fourth quarter at 50-50 with 5:30 left as the Mac defense held them to three missed field goals and four turnovers to knot it up
-Unfortunately, the Falcons ripped off the next nine points over two and a half minutes to take their lead to 59-50
-The Mighty Macs got as close as four points with just under a minute to go on a jumper by Kohutka, but that was the closest they would get
-The first quarter was tight throughout with three ties and four lead changes and finished up tied 15-15
-The Macs were outscored in the second quarter, 14-8, as they struggled offensively, but played good defense to stay in the game
 
KEY TEAM STATS
-The Macs were 20-of-59 (33.9%) from the field while Cedar Crest was an efficient 21-of-44 (47.7%)
-Both teams were outstanding from beyond the arc as the Macs were 7-for-17 (41.2%), but were bested by the Falcons at 11-for-17 (64.7%) from deep
-IU was 11-of-15 at the line and Cedar Crest was 13-for-17
-The Macs held a slim 32-31 advantage in rebounds, including 14 on the offensive glass, and forced 24 turnovers while turning it over 20 times
 
KEY PLAYER STATS
-IU Point Leaders: Ayoub 16, Ballinger 11, Kearney 11, Kohutka 11
-IU Rebound Leaders: Ayoub 7, Kearney 7, Ballinger 5
-IU Assist Leaders: Kohutka 4, Kearney 2, Ballinger 2
-Ballinger was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and Kearney was 2-for-4
 
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs travel to Notre Dame for a 1 p.m. tip off on Saturday