The Ashland University men's basketball team started fast and maintained their lead wire-to-wire as the Eagles defeated Northwood, 60-50, on Friday (Feb. 19) afternoon at Kates Gymnasium.
The Eagles (9-7, 9-6 GLIAC) scored the game's first 12 points and never trailed as the Timberwolves (5-10, 5-10 GLIAC) pulled within three later in the first half, but came no closer than five points in the second half.
Four different players scored on the game-opening run, including a three-point play by senior guard
Bo Furcron and a 3-pointer by freshman guard
Hunter Shedenhelm.
Northwood followed with a 12-3 run to cut the margin to 15-12, but Furcron and sophomore guard
Brandon Haraway scored the next six points and Shedenhelm buried another trey to stretch the lead to double figures again.
"Today coming in we focused on moving the ball and trying to get the defense moving," Haraway said. "That's exactly what we did. We were great teammates sharing the ball and got out to the early lead."
Northwood threatened multiple times in the second half to get back in the game, but the Eagles were able to follow with a basket or free throws to stem the tide.
Ashland made just three field goals in the second half, but maintained their lead by attacking the rim and going 15-for-17 (88 percent) from the line after halftime.
"We've been relying on (individual players) too much lately," said head coach
John Ellenwood. "We have to let the ball be the athlete and we had gotten away from that. We started passing the ball better versus their zone."
Haraway led the Eagles with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. He shot 11-for-13 from the stripe. Furcron went for 11 points and six boards.
"It's easy playing with Brandon because he's very aggressive and very good," Furcron said. "He was here before me so I told him, 'I'm not trying to take anybody's spot.' I just play off him. As the older guy, every day I try to go out there and be the leader to Brandon and be a leader with everyone on the team."
Shedenhelm added 15 points, three rebounds and three steals and senior wing
Aaron Thompson nearly had a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds.
The Eagles held the Timberwolves to 35 percent (19-for-55) shooting and limited them to just five trips to the free throw line. Ashland shot 77 percent (24-for-31) from the line in the game.
"Ever since Day 1, Coach Wood always preached toughness," Furcron said. "We pride ourselves on being tough and sometimes shots will fall, sometimes they won't, but every game can play defense."
Maurion Scott led the Timberwolves with 14 points and five rebounds.
The same teams will duke it out again on Saturday (Feb. 20) at 1 p.m. at Kates Gymnasium.
AU
MBB/BB
