Each team knocked down a three-pointer on its opening possession, but it took nearly three minutes for either side to score again.
After the drought, it was Ball State that took control, scoring nine straight points. Kent State responded with five straight to cut the lead to 12-8, but would find itself down 20-8 entering the second quarter after allowing the Cardinals to score the quarter’s final eight points.
The Cardinals grew the lead to 15 early in the second quarter, but had a five-minute stretch with only three points. Kent State, however, could not capitalize on the opportunity, only trimming the lead down to 10 before Ball State scored again.
The Flashes were able to find some more offense late in the half, outscoring Ball State by four points in the final three and a half minutes to cut the lead to 34-26 at halftime.
The Cardinals made 13 shots in the first half, with six of them being three-pointers, but Kent State began to slow down the three point attack in the second quarter, allowing two after giving up four in the first quarter.
The Flashes found some offensive success in the second quarter, going 8-12 from the field after a 3-13 performance in the first quarter.
Kent State was unable to continue to chip away at the lead early in the third quarter, committing three straight turnovers, leading to six straight Ball State points to push the lead up to 14.
The Flashes however, would fight back and bring the lead back down to eight halfway through the third quarter.
Despite having opportunities to cut the lead down further, Kent State would not, and finished the final 3:15 of the third quarter scoreless, allowing Ball State to build a 58-40 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Flashes were able to bring the lead down to 15, but a 7-0 run put the game away, and the Cardinals advanced to the championship game where they will play Toledo (24-7, 13-5) Saturday at 11 a.m.