Box Score LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Senior Day turned out to also be one last regular-season home blowout day for Ashland University's women's basketball team's four seniors.
On Saturday (Feb. 15) afternoon at Kates Gymnasium, the No. 2-ranked Eagles ran through and around Purdue Northwest, 86-41, to remain undefeated at 25-0 overall and 17-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
"I thought we responded and put together a strong second half," said Ashland head coach Kari Pickens, whose team outscored PNW 47-16 in the third and fourth quarters combined. "I love being able to go out (in the regular season) with a win for these seniors. They are a special group, and deserve nothing less."
The Pride is 6-19, 5-12.
Prior to the game, Ashland seniors Jodi Johnson, Sara Loomis, Renee Stimpert and Sarah Hart were recognized. Through Saturday afternoon, they have an overall record of 127-4 (.969), an NCAA Division II national championship, a national runner-up finish, are 68-1 (.986) at home, have won three GLIAC Tournament titles, and have two GLIAC regular-season crowns – on the way to a third.
Ashland has won 18 consecutive games at "The Kates," and since the start of 2011-12, the Eagles are 146-10 (.936) at home.
EAGLES COME OUT STRONG, PRIDE RALLIES IN FIRST
Ashland asserted itself early, scoring the game's first eight points before the Pride called a timeout 3:07 in. Purdue Northwest got on the board following the stoppage, eventually cutting its deficit to one at 11-10.
With 2:08 to go in the opening quarter, the Eagles called a timeout – then promptly kept the Pride off the board the rest of the period and took a 14-10 advantage into the second. While the offense went cold (5-of-14 shooting), Ashland forced five turnovers and coughed the ball up just one time in the first 10 minutes.
ASHLAND PULLS AWAY FROM PNW IN SECOND
With two free throws early in the second, Johnson became the program's second all-time leading scorer, passing Amber Rall. By the midway point of the second, Ashland had scored nearly as many points (13) as in the entire first stanza (14).
The Eagles continued to separate from the Pride, eventually taking a 39-25 lead into the locker room. Shooting picked up (9-for-14 from the field, 6-of-6 at the foul line), and the defense stayed strong going into the break.
HEIDEMANN SPARKS EARLY-THIRD AU RUN
Sophomore guard Hallie Heidemann scored the first six points of the second half, which continued what would end up being a 29-2 run from the end of the first half to the end of the third quarter.
In the third alone, Ashland made 9-of-15 from the floor and all seven charity tosses on offense, and forced eight turnovers while the Pride missed eight of nine shots from the field.
With 5:31 to go in the game, the Eagles' seniors came off the floor, leading 72-36.
THE SUMMARY
It ended up being a non-senior, junior forward Karlee Pireu, who was the game leader with 16 points. Heidemann (14), freshman forward Annie Roshak (13) and Johnson (11) rounded out AU's four double-digit scorers. Johnson has 2,097 career points.
The Eagles finished with a decided 37-21 rebounding advantage, 20 assists on 32 made field goals, and percentages of 52.5 from the field and 85.7 from the free-throw line.
On the flip side, the Pride shot 34.9 percent from the floor and 21.4 percent from the arc, and had no points off turnovers or second-chance points.
Ashland has defeated Purdue Northwest in all six all-time meetings.
THE SENIORS REFLECTED…
Loomis – "There's nothing like it. Our fans here are amazing. No Division II women's basketball team gets that. Our fans just show great support. I love the fans, and I love my teammates."
Hart – "I'm so grateful for the experience to play with these three players…and be coached by one of the greatest coaches I've gotten to play for."
Stimpert – "I'm just thankful for the opportunity to play here. Thankful for teammates, coaches, the community."
Johnson – "I was able to reflect during the game and be like, 'Wow, this is our last regular-season in the Eagle gym.' Just take it all in. It's been a blessing."
UP NEXT – SAGINAW VALLEY STATE
Ashland will begin its three-game road trip to finish the 2019-20 regular season on Thursday (Feb. 20) at 6 p.m. at Saginaw Valley State (12-13, 8-9).
The Eagles have defeated the Cardinals 13 consecutive times.
AU
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