MUNCIE, Indiana -- The Ball State Cardinals and Kent State Golden Flashes will hit the hardwood for a nationally-televised matchup on Saturday, Feb. 22. Tip-off from Worthen Arena is slated for 12 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
The two teams previously met this season on Jan. 15 in Kent, with Ball State posting a 66-57 victory. Lachelle Austin led the Cardinals with 17 points, while Alex Richard ended the night with 16. Ally Becki and Grace Kingery each tallied 10 points apiece.
With Ball State's win at Eastern Michigan on Feb. 15, the Cardinals secured their spot in the 2025 MAC Tournament in Cleveland (March 12-15). This marks the 35th appearance in the MAC Tournament in program history. Ball State has advanced to Cleveland 23 out of the past 25 seasons. The Cardinals are 24-33 all-time in MAC Tournament play and have advanced to the MAC Tournament finals on six occasions. Ball State defeated Bowling Green in 2009 in the MAC Tournament Championship game. This is the 10th time in current head coach Brady Sallee's tenure the Cardinals have punched their ticket straight to the MAC Tournament in Cleveland.
The Golden Flashes (16-10, 8-5 MAC) seek to avoid three consecutive Mid-American Conference losses for the first time since a stretch during January 2019. Kent State led for more than 35 minutes Wednesday evening at Buffalo but was outscored 14-3 over the final 3:29 in the 76-70 setback. The Flashes led by 10 early in the fourth quarter and have now lost two in a row while leading at halftime. Sophomore Mya Babbitt and senior Jenna Batsch scored 17 points each to share the team lead, while sophomore Janae Tyler grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch (16.5 ppg, 4.1 apg) is the only player in the conference averaging at least 16 points and four assists per game. Bridget Dunn (8.6 ppg) ranks fifth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.2 drpg) and 33rd overall in rebounds per game (9.6). Mya Babbitt (12.3 ppg) leads the MAC with 68 three-pointers and has made 41.2% of attempts from beyond the arc. Janae Tyler (11.2 ppg) has emerged as a consistent inside scoring presence after missing the majority of the non-conference slate of games. Dionna Gray averages 8.2 points and 4.9 assists per game.
