Box Score In the movies, a well-directed chase scene can put the viewer on the edge of his seat.
In basketball, a chase scene is not usually as thrilling, especially when you're the team struggling to make up ground.
What worked for Tom Cruise in the current movie Jack Reacher did not play as well for AU men's basketball coach John Ellenwood and his Eagles on Thursday (Jan. 3) at Northern Michigan. The Eagles found themselves playing from behind throughout the second half and lost, 73-66, at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, Mich. The loss leaves the Eagles with a 4-6 record, 2-5 in the GLIAC.
In the early part of this game, it looked like the Eagle would keep the Wildcats (3-8/2-6) in their rearview mirror. The Eagles scored the game's first seven points and led, 7-0 just 1:29 into the contest. Senior guard Ronnie Steward (Columbus, Ohio/Akron) scored five points in that run. Steward had eight points in the first half. NMU was able to cool him off in the second half as Steward finished with 10 points.
Thanks to that early run, Ashland held the lead for much of the first half. The Wildcats were able to slowly chip away at the deficit and managed to tie the game, 21-21 with 7:19 left in the half. The 'Cats scored the game's next seven points and were in front, 28-21 with 4:56 to go before the break. Ashland recovered and at halftime it was a one-point game, 32-31, NMU.
The Eagles couldn't seem to get over the hump and regain the lead in the second half. Northern Michigan's ability to knock down free throws had something to do with that. The Wildcats made 22-of-26 free throw attempts (84.6 percent). In the second half, NMU was on target with 18-of-21 shots (85.7 percent) at the line.
Ashland did manage to hang in the game and with 4:23 left in regulation, a layup by senior guard David Harris (Cincinnati, Ohio/Florida) brought the Eagles to within three points, 60-57. AU couldn't get any closer the rest of the game.
NMU had four starters reach double digits in scoring. Forward Kendall Jackson and guard Quinten Calloway led that scoring parade with 15 points each. Forward Matthew Craggs had 13 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-6, 220-pound junior entered the game averaging 14.7 ppg., and 5.7 rpg.
Senior forward Evan Yates (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) led the Eagles with 18 points and seven rebounds. This was the best game scoring-wise for Yates since he had 22 points at Saginaw Valley State on Dec. 8. Sophomore guard Cole Krizancic (Mentor, Ohio) came off the bench to score nine points. Krizancic was 3-for-4 on three-point attempts. One bright spot for AU in this game was the play of the bench. The Ashland reserves outscored the NMU bench, 17-10.
The win snapped a two-game Northern Michigan losing streak.
The Eagles will play at Michigan Tech on Saturday (Jan. 5, 1 p.m.).
AU
MBB/ALK
