Box Score Down 22 points early in the second half of Saturday (Dec. 6) afternoon's home game against Ferris State, Ashland University's women's basketball team began a furious comeback.
There wasn't enough time or points, however, as the Eagles pulled to within four points with five minutes to play but could get no closer in an 87-80 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference loss to the Bulldogs.
"We got ourselves in the hole, but I am so thrilled that we climbed out," said Ashland head coach Sue Ramsey.
Ashland now is 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the GLIAC, while Ferris State is 4-2, 2-1.
Trailing 53-31 inside of the 18-minute mark of the second half, the Eagles began to find their offensive rhythm, and the charge was led by senior guard Taylor Woods and freshman guard Maggie Mitchell. Thanks in most part to five 3-pointers – three by Woods and two by Mitchell – Ashland worked its deficit down to 57-50 with 14:15 remaining, then 57-52 with 13 minutes to play.
Ashland stayed within striking distance of Ferris State, using another Mitchell triple to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 69-65 with 5:07 to go. FSU, however, pulled away at the end for the victory.
Mitchell set a new career-high with her team-high 24 points, including a 6-for-10 showing from the 3-point line. She scored Ashland's first nine points as the team was trying to find its offensive footing.
"We've gotten off to slow starts, but she found the basket (early)," Ramsey said.
Freshman forward Laina Snyder was lauded by Ramsey for her effort, as she posted a career-high in points with 20 (8-for-11 shooting from the field), and tied yet another rookie, Andi Daugherty, for the team lead in rebounds with nine.
Ashland had a 38-33 rebounding advantage, and was 8-for-12 from 3-point range in the second half.
"Ferris shot the ball very well," Ramsey said of the Bulldogs' 50-percent showing from the floor for the game. "We've got the pieces. We just have to put it together. It will come."
The Eagles will begin road GLIAC play next week, traveling to Hillsdale on Thursday (Dec. 11) and Saginaw Valley State on Sunday, Dec. 14.
NOTES: Woods now has 1,079 career points, passing former teammate Alyssa Miller for 15th on the program's all-time scoring list. She now is three points behind DeAndria Bethune (1,082) for 14th all-time…Ashland's rebounding leader(s) in all six games have been either Daugherty, Snyder or both.
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