AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — In a commanding wire-to-wire victory to close the calendar year, the Ball State women’s basketball team delivered a decisive 102-73 win over Akron in a Mid-American Conference matchup Wednesday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Cardinals, improving to 10-4 overall, established their dominance early and never relented, overwhelming the Zips with superior efficiency on both ends of the floor. The most critical phase of the contest was its opening ten minutes, where Ball State set an authoritative tone that Akron, now 3-10, could never counter.

Ball State’s first-quarter execution was nearly flawless. The Cardinals raced to a 25-14 lead, fueled by the immediate interior presence of Tessa Towers. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Batavia, Illinois, was unstoppable from the opening tip, scoring repeatedly at the rim and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Her early activity, combined with disruptive team defense, forced Akron into a series of rushed shots and turnovers, stifling any attempt to establish an offensive rhythm.

This early surge proved insurmountable. While Akron’ Monique Mitchell opened the game’s scoring with a three-pointer, the Zips quickly found themselves swarmed. Ball State’s defensive pressure resulted in eight first-quarter points off turnovers, and the Cardinals’ significant rebounding advantage, particularly on the offensive glass, created a barrage of high-percentage shots. The period ended with Ball State shooting over 50% from the field while holding Akron to just 33% shooting, a disparity that defined the entire evening.

The Cardinals only expanded their lead as the game progressed. They poured in 27 points in the second quarter for a 52-29 halftime advantage, then erupted for a 34-point third quarter, stretching the margin to 86-49. The offensive explosion was a product of shared wealth and relentless pace. Ball State finished the game shooting 50% from the field, connecting on nine three-pointers, and attempting 36 free throws, showcasing an attack that consistently generated quality looks.

Towers was the game’s standout performer, recording a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. She was complemented by a deep and versatile supporting cast. Bree Salenbien added 14 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Zhen Verburgt scored 11 points. Karsyn Norman also chipped in 11 points and five rebounds, and Giorgia Gorini provided a spark off the bench with nine points.

Ball State’s statistical dominance was comprehensive. The Cardinals out-assisted Akron eight to two, a telling indicator of their offensive cohesion versus the Zips’ isolation-heavy attack. They also forced 15 Akron turnovers, converting them into 23 points, while committing only nine turnovers themselves. The efficiency gap was stark: Ball State scored 124.2 points per 100 possessions, while Akron managed just 89.4.

For the Zips, Mitchell led the way with 15 points. Shaena Brew contributed 12 points and five assists, and Ni’Rah Clark added nine points and five rebounds. However, Akron struggled to find consistent offense, shooting 40% overall and just 30.8% from beyond the arc. The Zips were also hampered by their inability to get to the free-throw line, attempting only 14 free throws compared to Ball State’s 36.

The victory extends Ball State’s positive momentum as they head into the heart of the conference schedule. The Cardinals have won three of their last four games. Akron, meanwhile, continues to search for answers, having lost eight of its last nine contests.

An announced crowd of 846 watched the New Year’s Eve game. Ball State opens the new year on the road Saturday at Northern Illinois. Akron also travels Saturday for a conference game at Ohio.