MUNCIE, Ind. - Austin Peay State University women's basketball team dominated the game's final nine minutes but could not complete a come-back effort in a 59-55 non-conference loss to Ball State, Sunday afternoon at Worthen Arena.

Ball State (5-5) built a nine-point, 52-43, lead on Brittany Carter's three-pointer with 9:17 remaining. It was the last field goal the Cardinals would make in the contest as they missed on their final seven attempts - only a 7-of-12 effort at the free throw line prevented a complete collapse the game's remainder.

Austin Peay (2-8) had plenty of opportunities in those final nine-plus minutes as it dominated every aspect of the game. The Lady Govs posted a 16-6 rebounding edge down the stretch, including eight offense rebounds. However, Austin Peay could not find the bottom of the net making just four field goals in 15 tries and scoring four of its seven free throws.

The Lady Govs closed to within one point, 56-55, on Shyra Brown's layup with 2:41 left but could not covert on their next three possessions committing two turnovers and missing a jumper. Ball State made one of two free throws with 19 seconds remaining to extend its lead to two points. On the ensuing possession, Austin Peay lost control of the ball eight feet from the basket and fouled with 1.3 seconds remaining. Ball State's Mercedes Miller converted on each of the free throws to seal the victory.

Austin Peay opened the game with two three pointers and led by seven points, 19-12, with 10:30 remaining in the opening period. But Ball State erased that lead with a 15-3 run over the next 5:44 to take a 27-22 lead at the 4:46 mark. The Cardinals would nurse that advantage to halftime and led 34-29 at the break.

Both teams had long scoring runs in the second half's opening minutes. Austin Peay opened the period with an 8-2 run that lasted 3:49 to take a one-point, 37-36, lead. That lead stood for nearly two minutes before Ball State's Brittany Carter hit a three-pointer at the 14:54 mark that ignited a 13-2 run over the next 3:18 that gave BSU its first double-digit lead, 49-39 with 13:38 left, which it would not relinquish.

Senior Whitney Hanley led the Lady Govs with 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting and a 6-of-6 effort from the free-throw line. However, she was unavailable over the final 1:02 after fouling out of the contest. Junior Leslie Martinez overcame a slow start to record her season's second double-double - a 10-point, 11-rebound performance.

Carter led Ball State with 17 points, including four three pointers. Suzann Grossnickle added a 14-point, 11-rebound effort off the bench. Ball State won despite making just seven second half field goals.

Austin Peay, which saw its losing streak stretch to eight games with the loss, takes the upcoming week off for finals. The Lady Govs return to action with a 2 p.m., Sunday contest at Belmont.

-AP-