KENT, Ohio (Interstat) — A surging Ball State women’s basketball team looks to continue its climb atop the Mid-American Conference standings when it visits Kent State on Sunday.

The Cardinals (16-5) enter the matchup at the Memorial Athletics Center riding a wave of momentum, having won six of their last seven games. Their most recent victory was a 76-70 road win at Central Michigan on Wednesday. In that game, guard Karsyn Norman led the way with 17 points and five assists, continuing a strong stretch of play. Over her last seven contests, Norman is averaging 10.3 points and 4.6 assists per game, serving as a key facilitator for one of the MAC’s most potent offenses.

Ball State’s success has been built on both ends of the floor, exemplified by a 103-61 rout of Buffalo on Jan. 14 and a 78-57 road win at Western Michigan on Jan. 17. Their only conference loss in January was a 72-52 setback against Miami (Ohio).

The host Golden Flashes (9-11) have shown resilience, winning three of their last five to steady their season. They are coming off a narrow 59-53 loss at Toledo on Wednesday, where Anna Campanelli paced the team with 12 points. Campanelli has provided a recent scoring spark for Kent State, highlighted by a 19-point, six-rebound performance in an 84-74 win at Buffalo on Jan. 24.

Kent State will need that kind of offensive production to counter a Ball State team that has consistently put up high point totals. The Golden Flashes have defended their home court well in MAC play, posting a 3-1 record at the M.A.C. with wins over Akron, Ohio and Buffalo.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Ball State is projected as a strong favorite with a 73.40 percent probability to win. The game represents a classic conference clash between a team aiming for a title and one seeking to build momentum for the final stretch of the season.

Tip-off is set for Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Following this contest, Ball State will host Northern Illinois on Feb. 4, while Kent State remains home to face Bowling Green on the same date.