WBB on the Move: A Midweek Showdown Against Kent State in Thrilling #MACtion!

Game No. 17 Cardinals vs. Golden Flashes

Ball State (12-4, 4-0 MAC) vs. Kent State (10-6, 3-1 MAC)

Jan. 15, 2025 >>M.A.C Center>>7 pm ET>>Kent, Ohio

Opening Tip:

– The encounter on Wednesday against Kent State will be the 69th meeting in the program’s history, with the Golden Flashes currently leading the all-time series, 44-24. The last victory for the Cardinals in Kent occurred last year on national television when Ball State triumphed over Kent State, 75-71.

– The most recent clash between Ball State and Kent State took place at the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals, where the Cardinals were defeated by the eventual MAC Tourney champions, the Golden Flashes, with a score of 65-50 in Cleveland on March 15, 2024.

– Last season, Ball State secured the home-and-away series against Kent State.

– Over the past four years in Mid-American Conference play, the Cardinals have excelled on the road. Ball State boasts a 29-10 (.736) record when participating in league matches away from home dating back to the 2021 MAC season, achieving its best performance in 2021 with a 9-1 record that year.

– For the second consecutive year, the Cardinals have commenced Mid-American Conference competition with a flawless 4-0 record. Ball State is the sole undefeated team in league contests.

– The Cardinals have claimed victory in eight straight MAC regular-season games, tracing back to last year. The Cardinals haven’t experienced defeat in a regular-season league match since February 24, 2024, against Toledo.

– Most recently, the Ball State women’s basketball squad celebrated a 78-56 win at Buffalo on Saturday, led by Elise Stuck, who achieved a double-double with a tie for her career-high in points (20) while also grabbing a personal best in rebounds with 15.

– Kent State tied the program record with 16 three-point field goals during a 79-64 win against host Ohio on Saturday afternoon, marking their first road victory in Mid-American Conference action. Their only defeat in league play was against Toledo on Wednesday, January 8, with a score of 79-64.

Net Rankings:

According to the NCAA Division I net rankings, the Cardinals are listed in the top 70, currently positioned at 54. Ball State has achieved the highest net ranking among all institutions in the Mid-American Conference.

Sallee is HOT in January:

While it may be chilly outside, the Cardinals usually heat up in January under 13th-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee has an overall record of 72-29 (.710) in January since his inaugural season in 2012-13.

Forcing Miscues:

Ball State has compelled its opponents to commit 306 turnovers in 16 games. The Cardinals have successfully converted those turnovers into a total of 339 points thus far this season: Old Dominion (21 pts), IU Indy (25 pts), Memphis (22 pts), Northern Iowa (21 pts), No. 16 Northern Carolina (14 pts), Texas A&M (29 pts), Columbia (8), South Dakota State (17), Davidson (24), Northern Kentucky (20 pts), Anderson (46), Miami (31), Central Michigan (22), Eastern Michigan (22), and Buffalo (17).

12-1 at the Half:

The Cardinals maintain a 12-1 record when they conclude the first half with the advantage. The only loss occurred against Columbia University, a game where the Cardinals led 31-25 at halftime on November 25, 2024, during the final match of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Scouting Kent State:

– Preseason All-MAC First Team pick Jenna Batsch (15.1 ppg, 4.25 apg) stands out as one of the only two players in the conference averaging at least 14 points, four assists, and one steal per game. Bridget Dunn (7.8 ppg) holds the sixth position nationally in defensive rebounding (8.6 drpg) and ranks 22nd overall in rebounds per game (10.2). Mya Babbitt (12.3 ppg) leads the MAC with 42 three-pointers, successfully converting 40.2% of her attempts from beyond the arc.

– The inaugural matchup between Ball State and Kent State took place during the 1979-80 season. The Golden Flashes emerged victorious in that encounter, winning by a score of 84-59 in Ohio.

– The Flashes have a 5-7 record against Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.

Lachelle Austin Approaching 1,000 Career Points:

This season, the Cardinals welcomed transfer Lachelle Austin into their 2024-25 roster. Austin, a senior, is well-acquainted with the Mid-American Conference, having spent three years at Eastern Michigan. Austin was one of the top scorers for the Eagles and has registered double figures in scoring in six of the Cardinals’ seven games to date. For her career, Austin has accumulated 961 points and requires just 39 to reach the 1,000 mark.