Ohio Christian (6-5) at Ashland (3-5)
Saturday, Dec. 29, 1 p.m.
Kates Gymnasium
Setting The Scene
The Eagles will play their final game in 2012 against non-conference foe Ohio Christian. This is the first time the two teams have squared off on the hardwood. This is the final game in a three-game homestand for the Eagles. AU is 1-1 so far during this stretch. This is AU's first game since dropping a 64-56 decision to GLIAC foe Lake Superior State on Dec. 19 at Kates Gymnasium.
About the Eagles
The Eagles continue to make life difficult for opponents on the offensive end of the court – AU is allowing 64.1 ppg. Only two teams have scored more than 70 points against AU this season – Urbana tallied 71 and Wayne State scored a season-high 83…the Eagles enter this game having lost three of their last four games…the Eagles have enjoyed success at the free throw in their last two games, hitting 16-of-19 tries (.842) against Northwood (Dec. 17) and 11-of-14 attempts (.786) against Lake Superior State (Dec. 19). The Eagles are shooting 68.4 percent at the line this season…this is AU's third non-conference game of the year. AU is 1-1 outside the conference this year, beating Oberlin (72-47) and losing at Urbana (71-68)…the Eagles are 1-1 in games decided by three points or less…Ashland has blocked 10 shots in the last three games…the Eagles are 18th in the nation in turnovers per game (11.8)…the Eagles were 12-2 at home a year ago, they are 3-2 at Kates Gymnasium this season.
Eagles To Watch
Senior forward Evan Yates (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) was a first team All-GLIAC and all-region choice a year ago and was a second team All-American (Daktronics). He was the first AU men's basketball player to receive All-America laurels in 20 years. Yates has picked up where he left off last season, averaging 15.9 ppg., and 9.3 rpg. Yates is 16th in the nation in rebounds per game and 25th in double-doubles (three). In the GLIAC he's third in rebounds per game, fifth in field goal percentage and seventh in scoring.
Sophomore guard DaWuan Thomas (Dayton, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) tied his career high in points (17) against Northwood. That was also a season high for Thomas. Against the 'Wolves, Thomas was 6-for-12 from the floor and 3-of-6 from three-point range. Thomas is fourth on the team in scoring (8.1 ppg.).
Senior guard Ronnie Steward (Columbus, Ohio/Akron) scored a season-high 20 points against Lake Superior State. Steward is second on the team in scoring (9.5 ppg.).
Junior forward Will Evans (Lexington, Ky./Christian Academy) is second on the team in rebounding (4.6 rpg.) and third in scoring (8.9 ppg.). Evans shares the team lead lead in three-point field goals (11) with sophomore forward Paul Honigford (Sugarcreek, Ohio/Garaway). Honigford averages 6.8 ppg.
Head Coach John Ellenwood
AU head coach John Ellenwood is in his fourth season at Ashland. A year ago, he guided the Eagles to a 15-12 record, 10-9 in GLIAC play. Ellenwood is a 2000 College of Wooster grad. This past fall, he was inducted into the college's Hall of Fame. At Ashland, Ellenwood is 44-45. His career record as a college head coach is 74-93. Ellenwood came to AU from Thomas More, where he was the head coach for three years.
About the Trailblazers (6-5)
Ohio Christian is located in Circleville, Ohio. The Trailblazers have lost three of their last four games. Their last game was Dec. 15 and that resulted in a 71-61 loss to Wittenberg. Ohio Christian's last victory was on Dec. 13, 100-98 vs. Valor Christian. A year ago the Trailblazers were 27-10 and advanced to the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four.
This year's team has scored 87 or more points in a game five times. Against Wittenberg, 6-4 sophomore guard Wesley Russell scored a team-high 25 points. There are just two seniors on the 14-man Ohio Christian roster.
Head coach Tony Stockman is in his first season with the Trailblazers. The Medina, Ohio, native is a former Mr. Basketball (2005) in Ohio. He began his collegiate career at Clemson and transferred to Ohio State. He is a 2005 OSU graduate.
Eagles-Trailblazers
This is the first meeting between the teams.
Up Next
The Eagles are on the road for their next four games. That stretch begins on Thursday, Jan. 3, at Northern Michigan.
AU
MBB/ALK
