Preview: Struggling Akron Faces MAC Powerhouse Ball State MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — A Mid-American Conference women’s basketball matchup featuring teams at opposite ends of the standings unfolds Wednesday when the Ball State Cardinals host the Akron Zips at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals (22-6 overall), among the MAC’s elite this season, look to rebound from a rare conference loss, a 68-64 defeat at Miami (Ohio) on Saturday that snapped a seven-game winning streak. Ball State has been dominant at home and boasts one of the league’s most efficient offenses. They will be heavily favored against an Akron squad (7-20) mired in a difficult season. The Zips are coming off an 80-61 home loss to Kent State and have lost three of their last four. Ball State’s Grace Kingery has been a consistent force. The guard is averaging 16.1 points over her last eight games, including a 23-point performance against Northern Illinois on Feb. 4 and a 19-point, 7-rebound effort in the loss to Miami. She leads a balanced Cardinals attack that features multiple scoring threats, including Tessa Towers, who had 22 points and 8 rebounds in the last outing. Akron will rely on guard Keiryn McGuff, who has shown flashes of high-level scoring. She poured in 22 points in a double-overtime win over Ohio on Feb. 18 and is coming off a 14-point game against Kent State. Her production, however, has been variable, and the Zips will need a peak performance from her to challenge the Cardinals. The teams last met on Dec. 31, 2025, in Akron, where Ball State delivered a commanding 102-73 victory. The Cardinals have won six straight in the series. For Ball State, the game is a crucial step toward securing a top seed for the upcoming MAC tournament. For Akron, it represents one of the season’s toughest road tests as they seek to build momentum ahead of their final regular-season home games next week. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Wednesday at Worthen Arena.