Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
University of Akron
Women's Basketball Returns Home to Host Akron in Mid-Week MAC Showdown
February 24, 2026 | Women's Basketball
| Ball State vs. Akron | #MACtion | Nonprofit Day | |
| Game 29 vs. Akron | Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6:30 pm ET | Muncie, Ind. | Worthen Arena |
| Gameday Info | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Radio | Tickets |
| Game Notes and Media Info | Ball State | Akron |
| Social Media | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook |
It's #MACtion Time:
- Wednesday's game against Akron will mark the 53rd time in program history the two schools have met with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 33-19. Ball State has won 15 of the last 18 meetings against the Zips. Brady Sallee owns a 15-8 mark against Akron. Ball State last defeated Akron at James A. Rhodes Arena on Dec 31, 2025 by a score of 102-73.
- If the MAC Tournament began today, Ball State would likely play Central Michigan in the quarterfinal round. Based on current standings as of February 24, 2026, Ball State is the No. 2 seed following a recent 68-64 loss to Miami (OH), who currently holds the top spot. Under the MAC Tournament's eight-team format, the No. 2 seed faces the No. 7 seed in the opening round with the game starting at approximately 30 minutes after Game 2.
- The Cardinals typically carry on their success throughout the month of February in preparation for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Under head coach Brady Sallee the Cardinals own a 66-40 (.605) record in February with his best season being in 2019-20 as Ball State posted a 7-1 ledger that year.
- The Cardinals officially clinched its spot in the 2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament with a commanding 83–68 victory over EMU last Tuesday. The win also secured head coach Brady Sallee's ninth 20-win season in program history. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive year the Cardinals have reached at least 20 victories, a stretch that includes a program-record 28 wins during the 2023–24 season.
MAC Tournament Facts:
The Cardinals continue to be a staple of March Madness in the MAC, securing their 36th program appearance in the conference tournament. Ball State's dominance is especially clear over the last quarter-century, having advanced to Cleveland for 24 of the past 26 seasons. With an all-time tournament record of 27–33, the team has fought their way to seven championship games, ultimately crowning their efforts with titles in 2009 and 2025. Under head coach Brady Sallee, the Ball State women's basketball team has made it to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament 11 times, including reaching the championship game in 2014, 2022, and 2025. The 2025 championship was a historic milestone, marking Sallee's first conference tournament title in 21 years of head coaching and the program's first since 2009.
Where We Rank in the MAC:
Ball State remains at the top of the charts in assists per game (19.3),assist/turnover ratio (1.13), field goal percentage (46.5), field goal percentage defense (37.1), defensive rebounds per game (30.4), rebounds per game (43.68) and scoring offense (78.8).
International Success:
The Cardinals have had plenty of international success under 14th year head coach Brady Sallee. We all remember Nathalie Fontaine the 6-2 guard from Stockholm, Sweden became Ball State's all-time leading scorer with 2,166 points. The 2016 MAC Player of the Year and AP honorable mention averaged 21.0 points per game and 10.2 rebounds while making over 50 percent of her shots. After Fontaine was Carmen Grande a native from Madrid, Spain who held onto the all-time assists record with 697 until Ally Becki surpassed her last season with 721 and we also cannot forget Thelma Dis Agustsdottir from Keflavik, Iceland who holds the all-time 3-point record with 325 treys. Agustsdottir also competed at the Celsius 3-point championship at the NCAA Tournament.
What's Next:
Following their home game against Akron on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the Ball State women's basketball team will wrap up their home regular-season schedule on Saturday, February 28, with a "Senior Day" matchup against Ohio University at 1:00 p.m.. The Cardinals then hit the road for their final regular-season contest against league rival Toledo on Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m.
Scouting Akron:
- The Akron Zips women's basketball team (7-20 overall, 4-10 MAC as of February 24, 2026) is in its third season under head coach Ryan Gensler. Following an injury-riddled 10-21 campaign in 2024-25, the program has focused on building a versatile, "positionless" roster.
- Akron uses a high-octane scoring with a "positionless" approach. The team prioritizes versatility, often playing multiple guards and versatile forwards. They have shown extreme offensive bursts, including two 100+ point games this season (117-34 vs. Heidelberg and 100-65 vs. Geneva).
- While offensively capable, the Zips have struggled defensively, ranking 356th nationally in points allowed per game (77.6) and 334th in Defensive Rating (100.4).
- Akron is in a rebuilding phase, highlighted by recent hard-fought MAC wins against Buffalo (76-72) and a double-overtime thriller against Ohio (108-105).
- The Zips are led in offense by Ni'Rah Clark (12.6 ppg) and Shaena Brew (11.2 ppg).
