GAME NOTES: The Kent State Golden Flashes will try to remain perfect at home when they host the Ball State Cardinals this evening in a Mid-American Conference tussle at the M.A.C. Center. It has been a dreadful season for Ball State, which has lost 17 of its 20 contests. The Cardinals are in the midst of a four-game losing skid, with the latest setback coming against Miami-Ohio this past weekend, by a score of 66-54. With the recent skid the Cardinals have dropped to 2-6 in MAC action. Ball State has been atrocious on the road this year, losing all eight of its games away from home. As for the Golden Flashes, they are coming off a tough, 59-56 loss to Toledo this past Saturday. It was just the fifth loss of the season for KSU, which is 6-2 and currently tied for first place in the East Division with Akron and Ohio. The Golden Flashes have won 21 of the last 22 contests at the M.A.C. Center and with a win tonight will tie a school record for home victories in a season. Kent State has won five of the last seven meetings against Ball State. However, the Cardinals still hold a solid, 38-31 advantage.

The Cardinals are clearly the worst offensive team in the MAC, and come into this game netting just 56.5 ppg, while shooting a meager 39.0 percent from the floor. Anthony Newell has only played 11 games for BSU, but the forward has been the top option for the Cardinals when on the court, and is netting 18.5 ppg to go along with 7.4 rpg. Peyton Stovall is the only other player netting double figures for BSU, as the guard is posting 13.4 ppg. Ball State's offensive struggles continued this past weekend, as the team suffered a 12- point loss to Miami. In the setback, the Cardinals shot just 36.8 percent from the floor and made only 3-of-14 attempts from behind the arc. Newell led the way with 17 points and also pulled down eight rebounds. Melvin Goins added 15 points, while Rashaun McLemore tallied 11 points.

Kent State has been impressive at both ends of the floor, scoring 69.2 ppg, while surrendering only 62.3 ppg. This past Saturday, KSU held Toledo to just 59 total points and forced the Rockets into 19 turnovers. Despite the strong defensive performance, the Golden Flashes still fell victim to Toledo, mainly because the team struggled offensively. KSU shot just 40.4 percent from the floor and made only 5-of-16 attempts from behind the arc. Al Fisher committed eight turnovers in the loss, but led the way with 18 points, while Chris Singletary added 13 points. The team's leading scoring option, Mike Scott (13.3 ppg), struggled in the loss, netting just 1-of-7 attempts from the floor en route to a four-point effort. Haminn Quaintance has been strong in the post for KSU, and is chipping in 10.0 ppg to go along with a team-best 7.6 rpg. As a whole, the Flashes are netting 69.2 ppg, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field.

The Flashes should have no trouble bouncing back from their recent loss. Kent State is without question much better than Ball State, and should coast to an easy win.