Ashland Women Sweep Bulldogs, Start Season 2-0

The start wasn't to head coach Kari Pickens' liking, but in the end, a win was a win.
 
Playing host to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Ferris State for the second time in 24 hours on Saturday (Jan. 9) at Kates Gymnasium, Ashland University's women's basketball team moved to 2-0 overall and in the league in 2020-21 following a 60-45 victory over the Bulldogs (0-2, 0-2).
 
Defense was the difference for the Eagles on Saturday. In the final three quarters, AU outscored FSU, 51-26, and kept the Bulldogs to 10-of-40 shooting from the floor.
 
"It was a defensive victory," Pickens said. "When the shots weren't going in for us, we buckled down and played three outstanding quarters of defense. It took us a little bit to get the legs going…but once we did, we didn't stop.
 
"We need to learn how to play back-to-back games. Tournaments are back-to-back games, so we just get a season worth of preparation for it. I think we learned a lot from this weekend, and I'm excited to see how we can grow from it."
 
EAGLES TRAILED FOR DURATION OF FIRST QUARTER
Ashland found itself digging out of an early hole, trailing 7-0 before junior guard Hallie Heidemann made two free throws at the 7:12 mark of the opening quarter. Down 9-2, Heidemann made a corner 3-point field goal, but the Bulldogs kept coming, and at the first media timeout of the game, FSU led, 12-9.
 
When the first 10 minutes were over, the Bulldogs had a 19-9 advantage – shooting 50 percent from the field and keeping the Eagles to 25 percent.
 
ASHLAND PULLS CLOSER IN RUN-FILLED SECOND
The Eagles turned the tables on Ferris State to begin the second quarter, scoring the first eight points to cut their deficit to two points at 19-17. The Bulldogs, however, ran off six points in a row to take a 25-17 advantage.
 
By halftime, yet another spurt – this one 5-0 for AU – made the score 25-22. The Eagles' defense tightened up in the second stanza, as Ferris State scored just six points and connected on 2-of-12 tries from the field.
 
WARREN, DEFENSE LEAD AU COMEBACK IN THE THIRD
With 8:07 to go in the third quarter, freshman forward Erica Warren's fast-break layup tied the game. Then, another Warren bucket on the break gave the Eagles their first lead at 30-28 with 7:44 on the clock. Those points were a part of an overall eventual 12-0 run which put AU on top, 34-28.
 
Going into the final quarter, the Eagles led 38-35, and defense was a big reason. After giving up 19 points to the Bulldogs in the first quarter, they yielded just 16 – on 5-of-23 shooting – in the middle two periods.
 
HEIDEMANN PACES BIG FINAL QUARTER
Heidemann allowed the Eagles to finally pull away to start the fourth quarter, as her eight points in the first four minutes helped Ashland take a 49-37 lead. The strong AU defense remained throughout, allowing the Eagles to keep Ferris State at arm's length.
 
THE SUMMARY
Heidemann scored a game-high-tying 21 points, set a new career high with 11 rebounds, and tied a career best with four assists. She also drew 11 Bulldog fouls on defense.
 
"I think it starts with the energy this team brings," Heidemann said. "It gets me excited to play, it gets me going. It's a whole team effort. I don't get 11 rebounds if my teammates aren't boxing out.
 
"This is a new team, but it's an incredible new team. We have our own identity, and we're going to be great in that way."
 
Senior forward Karlee Pireu chipped in with 15 points and six boards, while Warren added 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench.
 
"I just needed to know that when I came in, I had to do what my team expects me to do," Warren said. "Me getting my name called, they depended on me, and I needed to do my part for the team.
 
"Being able to get the feeling of playing against another team – I've been playing against my own teammates for months now, so it feels really good to be able to play with my team, and show off how good and aggressive and connected our team is, on and off the court."
 
Junior guard Erin Daniels rounded out four Eagles in double-digit scoring with a career-high 10 points.
 
Ashland forced 23 Ferris State turnovers, resulting in 20 Eagle points.
 
UP NEXT – AT GRAND VALLEY STATE
Ashland will go on the road for the first time this season, taking on GLIAC rival Grand Valley State on Saturday (Jan. 16) and Sunday (Jan. 17).
 
Based on the current COVID-19 climate, and in order to best protect institutions' ability to compete safely in GLIAC contests, the GLIAC COPC has adopted the COVID-19 Task Force recommendation that events will be held without spectators, bands, mascots, cheer teams and promotional activities. GLIAC administrators will continue to monitor and evaluate the COVID climate, and will make future determinations for fans and spectators at a later date.