Ball State’s 3^rd-seeded women’s basketball Cardinals blew out 6^th-seeded Akron last night in Mid American Conference Tournament play 92 to 68.  Five Cardinals scored in double figures, led by Anna Clephane with 20.  Sophomore Alex Richard came off the bench and scored a career high 19 points. Ball State had 22 assists against only 5 turnovers.

All top four seeds in the eight-team tournament — Ball State, Kent State, Toledo, and Bowling Green — advanced to the semifinals on Friday. Wednesday’s other first-round games saw #1 seed Toledo escape with a 75 to 74 overtime win over eighth-seeded Buffalo.  #2 seed Bowling Green destroyed 7th seed Eastern Michigan 70 to 36, and #4 Kent State downed #5 Northern Illinois 75 to 68.  The Cards will now face Bowling Green on Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m.  Ball State and the Falcons split their two regular season games.  Toledo and Kent State will play Friday’s first game at 10:00 a.m.

Meanwhile, the MAC men’s basketball Tournament starts today.  Ball State is the fourth seed and tips off at approximately 1:30 p.m. against fifth-seeded Ohio.

The women’s semifinals and men’s quarterfinals can be seen on ESPN+ from Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland.  Friday’s men’s semifinals will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network, as will Saturday’s women’s championship game.  Tipoff for the women’s championship  is 11 a.m.   The men’s championship game airs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.