AKRON, Ohio — In the second half, Ball State saw an eight-point lead turn into a double-digit deficit in its 84-74 loss at Akron.
While the Zips (9-4, 2-1 MAC) struggled in the first half, the Cardinals (7-8 2-2 MAC) were never quite able to pull away against one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference.
With the defeat, Ball State is back to .500 in the MAC as it prepares to face two of the league's best teams — vs. Buffalo and at Toledo — in its next two games.
Here are three takeaways from Ball State's defeat:
Akron dominates 2nd half
Redshirt junior Miryne Thomas broke away on a dunk and freshman Payton Sparks hit a driving layup to put Ball State up seven in the first minute of the second half.