Box Score Space heaters are easy to find at this point of the shopping season.
Space eaters are difficult to acquire at any point of the basketball season.
The Ashland University Eagles have a space eater who is priceless in senior forward Evan Yates (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills). Saturday (Dec. 1) at Kates Gymnasium, Yates had 27 points and 12 rebounds as the Eagles clobbered Ferris State, 71-49.
The 6-6, 245-pound Yates got a big assist off the bench from senior guard Davis Harris (Cincinnati, Ohio/Florida) who had three points, four rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes.
"I thought David Harris, he was 1-for-7, I know it sounds strange, but I thought he was our offensive player of the game," said AU head coach John Ellenwood. "He had hockey assists, his assists set up assists. He got us into our offense. I'm very proud of him. He's the rock of this team, we can always rely on David. Today, he was special."
Yates can be described that way on most nights, too. He made 9-of-10 shots from the floor and 9-of-13 tries at the free throw line. He grabbed five of the seven offensive boards the Eagles collected. His presence jammed up the middle and gave the Eagles a boost on defense. Ferris State shot only 32.0 percent (16-of-50) from the floor. The Bulldogs shot 28.6 percent (8-of-28) in the first half when the Eagles took a 33-23 lead at the intermission. The 49 points the Eagles allowed ties the school record for fewest points allowed in a GLIAC game. In 2005-06, the Eagles shut down Gannon, 60-49.
AU (2-2/1-1 GLIAC) was able to limit FSU's good looks at the hoop all game. That's a big step forward for this team. Ellenwood is in his fourth year at AU and this is the first time he's gotten a win over the Bulldogs. He's not alone when it comes to finding the going rough against FSU. Normally, the Bulldogs are one of the GLIAC's most talented outfits.
"We're up 25 and I'm still nervous," admitted Ellenwood. "They are so explosive.
"Ferris is a great team, they've kicked our butt since I've been here," added Ellenwood.
The Eagles limited All-GLIAC guard Kenny Brown to six points (3-of-11 from the floor, 0-for-4 from three-point range). Most of the Bulldogs' success on offense came from forward Daniel Sutherlin, who had 18 points and seven rebounds.
FSU (2-3/1-1) is known for having a deep bench but on this day, the Eagles were able to match that. That's been a continuing theme for the Eagles this season, to develop some punch off the pine. Sophomore guard Cole Krizancic (Mentor, Ohio) had five points and sophomore forward Paul Honigford (Sugarcreek, Ohio/Garaway) scored six points and secured five rebounds. AU led in bench scoring, 18-14.
"We got production out of our bench," reminded Ellenwood. "That's good to see. We're getting production out of everybody."
The only player besides Yates to score in double figures was sophomore guard DaWuan Thomas (Dayton, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison), who had 14 points.
The Eagles will play another GLIAC game at Wayne State this coming Wednesday (Dec.5, 6 p.m.).
AU
