Women’s Basketball Dominates Akron 88–55 to Complete Regular Season Sweep

Wednesday, February 25

Muncie, Ind.

6:30 pm

Ball State University

23-6,14-2MAC

University of Akron

7-21,4-11MAC

Akron

Ball St.

Women’s Basketball Dominates Akron 88–55 to Complete Regular Season Sweep

February 25, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team (23–6, 14–2 MAC) delivered a commanding performance Wednesday night, defeating the Akron Zips (7-21, 4-11 MAC) 88–55 at Worthen Arena. The victory secures a regular-season sweep over Akron and keeps the Cardinals firmly in the hunt for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season title.

Five Cardinals finished in double figures, powered by Tessa Towers' game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds—her ninth double-double of the season. Aniss Tagayi achieved her first career double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, while Grace Kingery and Zhen Verburgt chipped in 11 points each. Karsyn Norman rounded out the balanced scoring effort with 10 points, and Alba Caballero anchored the defense with a career-best 12 rebounds.

Ball State wasted no time seizing the momentum in this crucial MAC showdown, eager to move past a recent loss on the road. The Cardinals ignited a 6-0 opening run sparked by an Tagayi fast-break layup and back-to-back scores from Towers. Although Akron fought back to narrow the gap, Towers took charge once more, securing a 17-12 lead for Ball State by the end of the first quarter.

The Cardinals ignited the second quarter with a 10-3 run, highlighted by a slick post move from Towers. With additional contributions from Kingery and Verburgt, the Cardinals maintained a double-digit cushion throughout the period. Driven by their league-leading defense, they stifled Akron's offensive rhythm and headed into halftime with a commanding 42-26 lead.

Following the halftime break, Ball State maintained its double-digit advantage through a balanced offensive attack and tenacious defensive play. The Cardinals extended their lead to as many as 21 points on two occasions, eventually heading into the final 10 minutes with a commanding 65-44 lead over the Zips.

Ball State's victory over Akron was a wire-to-wire performance defined by its interior strength. Ten different Cardinals contributed to the scoreboard, with over half the team's points coming from the paint. By winning the rebounding battle and controlling the glass, Ball State maintained its hold on second place heading into the final two games of the regular season.

The Ball State women's basketball team will close out the home portion of its regular season on Saturday against Ohio at 1 pm ET in Worthen Arena. Prior to the contest the Cardinals will say farewell to its lone senior Bree Salenbien.