Box Score Saturday (Feb. 22) at Tiffin, the AU women's basketball team didn't just display a shooter's touch or the Midas touch. The Eagles conducted one of the most impressive grip-and-rip, chuck-with-pluck performances in school history.
The Eagles shot 81.5 percent from the field (22-of-27) in the first half on the way to a 108-65 win over the Dragons. Ashland tied the school record for first half points (66) and the final point total is tied for the second most in school history. The school record for points in a game is 112, set at Wayne State two years ago. That's also the last time AU scored 66 points in the first half. During the 1981-82 season, AU also blitzed John Carroll for 108 points.
This was AU's first 100-point effort since a 105-72 triumph against Urbana on Nov. 24, 2012. The 43-point margin of victory is AU's largest since a 43-point win against Northwood, 95-52 on Dec. 19, 2011. The last time Ashland won by more points came on Nov. 26, 2011, when the Eagles overwhelmed Oakland City by 50 points, 98-48.
AU's final field goal percentage on Saturday - 63.6 - is the fourth best single-game mark in school history. AU had 11 three-point field goals, which is tied for the third most in school history. Earlier this year the Eagles had 15 triples against Indianapolis.
AU shot 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from three-point distance and went 27-of-29 (93.1 percent) at the free throw line.
This was AU's seventh consecutive victory. The Eagles are 17-8 and 15-6 in GLIAC play. AU is in first place in the GLIAC South Division and tied for the third best overall record in the league. Ashland has one regular season game to play - a home date with Lake Erie on Thursday (Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m.).
This scenario is becoming more interesting by the day. On Thursday, the top two teams in the overall standings, Wayne State and Michigan Tech, both lost. Saturday, WSU lost again, this time at Grand Valley State, 65-64. Michigan Tech was scheduled to play Lake Superior State Saturday night and Northern Michigan, the team who began the day tied for the third spot with AU, was playing Northwood Saturday evening.
In the first half Saturday, AU went 9-for-9 on three-point attempts and was 13-for-13 at the free throw line. The Eagles made their first nine three-point attempts of the game, they didn't misfire until guard Taylor Woods was off target with 17:32 to play in regulation. Guard Alyssa Miller scored 22 of her career-high 26 points before the break. For the game, Miller was 6-for-7 from the floor, 4-of-4 from three-point distance and 10-for-10 at the free throw line. She had six assists and five rebounds.
Woods had 22 points, 16 in the first half. She went 8-for-10 from the field and 4-of-6 on three-point attempts.
Sophomore guard Jamie Sobczak had 10 points and 10 boards and freshman guard Kelsey Peare had 14 points and six rebounds. Junior guard Melanie Poorman came off the bench to score 18 points. She was 8-of-9 from the field. Poorman also snagged five rebounds.
Freshman guard Rachelle Morrison scored 10 points in a relief role.
Back on Feb. 1 at Kates Gymnasium, the Dragons (7-17/4-16) surprised the Eagles, 83-80. AU made sure there was no repeat this time. Ashland took an early lead and ran away from the Dragons. At halftime the Eagles were in front, 66-31.
Tiffin guad Karli Mast, who burnt the Eagles for 23 points in that first game (7-of-11 on three-pointers) was limited to 11 points this time. She was the only Tififn player to score in double figures.
AU didn't jus dominate the numbers on the scoreboard. AU out-rebounded the Dragons, 42-34. AU has colleced at least 42 rebounds for three consecutive games and has out-rebounded the opposition in five consecutive games. Both teams had 15 turnovers, but Ashland got the most out of those Tiffin miscues, leading, 18-6 in points off of turnovers.
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