Ball State University Athletics
Men's Hoops Hosts Hot Kent State Team Saturday
January 23, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Ball State vs. Kent State
Saturday, Jan. 24; 2 p.m.
Worthen Arena (Muncie, Ind.)
Video: Ball State Sports Link
Radio: 104.1 WLBC
The Ball State men's basketball team tips off a Saturday doubleheader at Worthen Arena against one of the hottest teams in the Mid-American Conference.
The Cardinals host Kent State at 2 p.m., and the women's team will follow by hosting Ohio at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Kent State (13-5, 4-1 MAC) comes into Muncie riding a four-game winning streak. The Golden Flashes have not lost since a two-point setback to Bowling Green in the league opener. They are coming off a 67-60 victory over MAC preseason favorite Toledo.
The Golden Flashes have benefited from a home-heavy schedule and will be venturing onto the road for just the second time in conference play. Ball State will be looking to defend its home court, where it owns a 6-2 record this season.
The Cardinals (7-9, 2-3 MAC) suffered that second home loss Wednesday when they ran into a hot-shooting Ohio team. The Bobcats knocked down better than 60 percent of their shots and better than 70 percent of their 3-pointers en route to an 82-73 win.
Even in the loss, there were positives the Cardinals could take away. Francis Kiapway busted out of a shooting slump with a 7-for-13 effort from the floor and a career-high 19 points. Bo Calhoun logged his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. And Jeremiah Davis ran the offense with seven assists and only one turnover.
Ball State will look to build on those things as they try to end a long losing streak against Kent State. The Flashes have won each of the past 10 meetings; the Cardinals last victory came in January 2005. The 10-game streak has given Kent State a slight 39-38 edge in the all-time series.
The Cardinals led last year's meeting by as many as 12 points at Kent State, but the Flashes rallied for an 86-74 victory early in the conference season.
Hall of Fame Weekend
• Ball State inducts five new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame in a Friday night ceremony -- Bryan Bullington (baseball), Kate (Endress) Doerksen (basketball), Mitch Hoban (football), Stephanie (Keller) Bloom (volleyball) and Zach Riley (track and field)
• The new inductees will be recognized during a timeout at Saturday's game.
• Additionally, the men's basketball program is having an alumni gathering at the game. Alumni from throughout the program's history will be recognized at halftime.
