Kent State beats Ball State 75-68

Davion Hill scores 17 points for Ball State in loss

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Delrecco Gillespie scored 22 points and had 14 rebounds to lead Kent State to a 75-68 victory over Ball State. Davion Hill led Ball State with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Devon Barnes added 14 points for the Cardinals.

Why it matters

This Mid-American Conference matchup between Kent State and Ball State was an important conference game for both teams as they look to improve their standings in the MAC. The loss drops Ball State to 8-17 overall and 3-9 in conference play.

The details

Kent State took the lead midway through the first half and never trailed again. Gillespie had a double-double to pace the Golden Flashes, while Whaley and Safford also scored in double figures. For Ball State, Hill and Barnes were the top scorers, but the Cardinals shot just 34% from the field as a team.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Kent State led 40-31 at halftime.

The players

Delrecco Gillespie

A senior forward for Kent State who scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Davion Hill

A junior guard for Ball State who led the Cardinals with 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Devon Barnes

A sophomore guard for Ball State who scored 14 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to improve and compete at a high level in conference play.”

— Davion Hill, Ball State Guard

What’s next

Ball State will look to bounce back in their next MAC matchup against Western Michigan on February 19th.

The takeaway

Despite the loss, Ball State showed fight against a strong Kent State team, led by the efforts of Davion Hill. The Cardinals will need to build on this performance as they look to climb the standings in the competitive Mid-American Conference.