A third quarter Ball State surge was too much for the Flashes to overcome as they fell 101-91 in a barn burner Sunday.

The Cardinals outscored the Flashes 31-22 in the third. A big factor for the quarter was 18 points made in the paint.

Despite the loss, it was an effort that left both the home crowd and the team proud.

“I’m proud of our team,” head coach Todd Starkey said. “I thought they fought.”

On a normal day, the Cardinals (17-5, 9-1) might have run the Flashes (9-12, 4-6) out of the building early, especially with Kent State’s scoring struggles from players other than guard duo Dionna Gray and Mya Babbitt to start. Ball State seemingly had an answer for everything the two did, particularly in the paint where they had 16 points in the second quarter alone.

“You got to give credit to them, [Ball State had] three players over twenty points [and] they’re a very talented basketball team,” Starkey said.

But on a day where KSU honored the late Pat Summitt, the tenacity of the legendary Tennessee Lady Volunteer teams she coached appeared in the grit the Flashes showed.  

While random contributions from time to time kept the team in the game, it was mainly the effort of Babbitt that led the offense. She had 28 points, including a three from half court that kickstarted the last push the Flashes made.

“We just didn’t give in,” Babbitt said. “They came out stronger than us in the third, but we didn’t give in and we kept fighting.”

Before all of the heroics ensued, the first quarter saw everyone start out hot. Ball State started six of nine from the court and KSU shot four of eight. 

The coaches were also a part of the fire, as multiple calls drew the ire of both head coach Todd Starkey and Ball State coach Brady Sallee. Throughout the game both had loud and tense interactions with officials, but avoided any technical fouls. 

Gray cut the lead to two on a 3-pointer, but that was as close as KSU would get as Ball State led 22-18 after the first quarter

After all of the action of the first half, the third quarter became senior center Tessa Towers’ show. She had 10 points in just the first five minutes of the half. She finished with a double-double, as well as 29 points and 11 rebounds.

Her taking the bench gave the Flashes an opportunity to get back in, however back-to-back-and-one layups allowed Ball State to firmly take control of the game. 

Kent made its biggest push of the third when center Riley Rismiller drove inside to create an and-one situation, but they were unable to capitalize further to trim a lead that grew to nearly 20 at times.

Needing a huge rally, KSU turned to Gray. Gray had 23 points and finished with 9 boards and 9 assists in what was a game that epitomized the scrappiness she’s played with throughout her career.

“My team needs me to play hard and have control of the game,” Gray said. “It’s important for me to find those open players … they expect me to play hard and I always will.”

Late in the game, freshman guard Anna Campanelli would finally get the Flashes within single digits on a three that woke everyone in attendance up. The shot was her only make of the day in what was her first career start.

Also contributing to the comeback effort was Caitlyn Holmes who had 11 points and four steals as she continued to be a spark off the bench as a freshman. 

The effort was in vain, as Ball State closed out the day on top, but the effort instilled a ton of confidence in Starkey as the team looks to take its next steps.

Up Next

KSU will have its first chance to show off that confidence as they remain at home for a matchup against Bowling Green on Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

“As soon as this team all shows up on the same day,” Starkey said. “We’re gonna be a lot to deal with.”

Stone O’Bryant is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].