MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of efficiency and offensive firepower, the Ball State Cardinals remained undefeated, handing the Cincinnati Bearcats an 83-63 loss in a non-conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Worthen Arena.

A crowd of 1,532 watched as the Cardinals methodically built a double-digit lead and never looked back, improving their season record to 5-0. The Bearcats, meanwhile, saw their early-season struggles continue, falling to 1-4.

Ball State’s victory was fueled by a balanced and potent offensive attack, led by a dominant performance from Bree Salenbien. The Adrian, Michigan, native poured in a game-high 26 points, showcasing her versatility by also contributing five assists and three blocked shots. She was a force on both ends of the floor, anchoring a Cardinals defense that consistently challenged Cincinnati’s shooters.

The Cardinals seized control of the game from the opening tip. After a slow start from both teams, Ball State closed the first quarter on a 14-3 run to take a 17-8 lead. They extended their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring the Bearcats 22-15 to carry a 39-23 lead into halftime. Cincinnati’s offense, which managed just eight points in the first quarter, could never fully recover from the early deficit.

Ball State’s offensive cohesion was on full display throughout the contest. Karsyn Norman, from Bedford, Indiana, orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out nine assists to go along with 13 points. Aniss Tagayi of Montpellier, France, was equally impactful, filling the stat sheet with 13 points, six assists, and a block. The Cardinals’ frontcourt also contributed significantly, with Tessa Towers of Batavia, Illinois, and Grace Kingery of North Ridgeville, Ohio, each adding 12 points.

Cincinnati’s effort was spearheaded by the dynamic play of Caliyah DeVillasee. The guard from Owings Mills, Maryland, fought hard for her team-high 21 points in 35 minutes of action. Reagan Jackson of Fort Worth, Texas, and Kylie Torrence of High Point, North Carolina, each added 10 points for the Bearcats, but the team’s overall shooting struggles proved insurmountable.

The statistical disparity told the story of the game. Ball State’s offensive execution was superior, as they shot 44% from the field compared to Cincinnati’s 35%. The Cardinals also held a significant advantage from beyond the arc, connecting on eight three-pointers while the Bearcats managed only two. Ball State’s efficiency was further highlighted by their offensive rating of 108.8, a stark contrast to Cincinnati’s mark of 80.3.

Defensively, Ball State’s length and activity disrupted Cincinnati’s rhythm, forcing 13 turnovers and recording eight steals and five blocks. The Cardinals also dominated the glass on the offensive end, pulling down 15 offensive rebounds which led to numerous second-chance opportunities.

The loss extends a difficult opening stretch for Cincinnati, which has now dropped four of its first five games. The Bearcats will look to regroup when they return home to face Canisius on Sunday. Ball State, riding a wave of early-season momentum, will aim to keep its perfect record intact when it hosts Illinois-Chicago on Monday.