Box Score
Without a box, or a saw or unknown potions, the Ashland University women's basketball team made Hilsdale's Megan Fogt disappear on Saturday (Feb. 15). When Fogt when missing, so did any chance the Chargers had of upsetting the Eagles. That's not so much a magical act on Ashland's part as it is solid, defensive basketball at the perfect time of the season.
The Eagles won their fifth straight game, running away from the Chargers, 83-63. Ashland is 15-8 and 13-6 in the GLIAC. Ashland leads the GLIAC South Division and is tied for the third best record in the league. AU has three regular season games left. This was AU's largest margin of victory since winning by 25 points at Findlay on Jan. 23.
"This was by far the best execution of a game plan we've had all year," said AU head coach Sue Ramsey. "Everybody was engaged. When we can sub like we did today, everyone stays fresh and we can run like we did."
Freshman forward Suzy Wollenhaupt had 20 points and 14 rebounds and freshman guard Kelsey Peare nearly recorded the second triple double in school history, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Senior guard Alyssa Miller had 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
"Those are monster numbers from two freshmen," commented Ramsey.
All of this came against a Hillsdale team that entered the game with wins in six of its last seven games. The Chargers were in third place in the GLIAC South, one game out of second place and two games behind the Eagles.
Fogt had eight points, seven rebounds and made 3-of-13 field goal attempts. She averages 20.4 ppg., a nation-high 16.2 rpg., and shoots 59.9 percent from the floor. The HC forward had her second foul of the game with 14:55 left in the first half. She played nine minutes in the first half.
Fogt picked up her third foul with 19:27 left in regulation. Those fouls, and the way the Eagles prevented her from every settling into a rhythm, made the difference in this game.
"That was by design," said Ramsey of Fogt's foul difficulties. "We wanted to go right at her. It's the same thing that teams have been doing with Suzy."
In the first half the Chargers (11-12/10-9) overcame Fogt's absence by connecting on 6-of-13 three-point attempts. Guard Kelsey Cromer had two triples before the break and nine points at halftime. Hilsdale led, 35-34 after the first 20 minutes.
"They were hitting their threes, but eventually they calmed down," Ramsey said.
The Eagles broke the game open in the first eight minutes of the second half. Ashland went on a 27-5 run in the first 8:08 of the second half and led, 61-40 with 11:52 to play in regulation. Wollenhaupt had eight points in that run and Peare had seven. Ashland was able to open up the court and run. Much of that charge was spearheaded by Peare. AU led in fastbreak points, 12-0.
"Her (Peare's) game really starts with her defense," noted Ramsey. "From her defense comes her offense, her explosiveness. She brought it today."
With Fogt neutralized, the Eagles also dominated play inside. AU led in points in the paint, 38-18 and in second chance points, 18-11. The Eagles out-rebounded Hillsdale, 48-39.
Sophomore forward Alex Moynes came off the bench to give the Chargers 15 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots. Cromer had 11 points.
The Eagles will play at Ohio Dominican on Thursday (Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.).
