Kent State University
Ball State
Kent State and Ball State to Battle In MAC Women’s Basketball Semifinals on Friday
3/13/2025 8:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
For the second year in a row, Kent State is matched up against Ball State in the Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament semifinals. The contest is scheduled to tip at 10 a.m. Friday from Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
The Golden Flashes (21-11) opened the tournament with a 68-61 victory over Miami during a quarterfinal contest on Wednesday. All five starters scored in double-figures, with senior Bridget Dunn and junior Dionna Gray posting double-doubles. Dunn totaled 13 points and 16 rebounds, while Gray had 12 points and career-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore Mya Babbitt drained four three-point field goals and led the way with 19 points.
All-MAC selections Jenna Batsch (first team) and Janae Tyler (honorable mention) were recognized for their outstanding play this season. Batsch (16.9 ppg, 3.8 apg) has recorded 31 consecutive double-digit scoring performances, which is tied for the fourth longest streak in Division I. Tyler (11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has emerged as a consistent inside scoring presence after missing the majority of the non-conference slate, averaging 14.7 points per contest since the start of February. Bridget Dunn (8.3 ppg) ranks fifth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.5 drpg) and 26th overall in rebounds per game (10.0 rpg). Mya Babbitt (11.8 ppg) leads the MAC with 81 three-pointers and has made 41.5% of attempts from beyond the arc. Dionna Gray averages 8.6 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Kent State in the MAC Tournament
• Kent State is making its 37th appearance in the MAC Tournament and has a 40-31 record in tournament play.
• The Golden Flashes have advanced to the semifinals 21 times, recording an 13-6 record in those games (2020 game was not played after tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic).
• Kent State has won four MAC Tournament titles: 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2024.
• The Flashes appeared in the championship game seven straight years from 1996-2002 and has played for the title 13 times overall.
• During that seven-year stretch, Kent State owned an 18-4 MAC Tournament record.
MAC Tournament History vs. Ball State
• Kent State is 5-1 all-time vs. Ball State in MAC Tournament play.
• The Golden Flashes won each of the first four matchups, which were all played in Kent or on a neutral court in Cleveland, with an average margin of victory of 23.8 points.
• The Cardinals won the lone matchup in Muncie, 73-38, at home in 2014.
• Kent State won last year's semifinal contest, 65-50, en route to the tournament championship.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals (25-7) extended their winning streak to five with an 82-53 victory over Western Michigan on Wednesday. MAC Player of the Year Ally Becki ranks seventh nationally in assists per game (6.3) and is the conference leader in assist-to-turnover (2.22) in addition to posting averages of 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest. All-MAC Second Team post Alex Richard is the leading scorer at 16.3 points per game and has gone for 20 or more in three of the Cardinals' last four contests. MAC Defensive Player of the Year Marie Kiefer (7.4 ppg) is the conference leader with 1.8 blocks per game and grabs a team-high 7.5 rebounds per contest. Madelyn Bischoff (10.4 ppg) and Elise Stuck (10.5 ppg) are also double-digit scorers.
Series History
• Kent State is 43-26 all-time against Ball State.
• The teams split the season series this year with the road team winning each matchup.
• The Golden Flashes have held the Cardinals below 65 points in eight of the last 12 meetings.
• Kent State is 6-8 vs. Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Bacon and Jacki Windon will call the action on ESPN+, while Dane Richardson will have the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
With a win, the Golden Flashes advance to the championships on Saturday, March 15 against the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 seed Toledo and No. 3 seed Buffalo. Tip is scheduled for 11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Follow Kent State Women's Basketball
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