On Tuesday (Dec. 19) afternoon at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium, the No. 16-ranked Ashland University men's basketball team broke its modest two-game losing streak with a 105-48 win against Villa Maria.
The Eagles go into the NCAA Division II "dead period" at 7-2, while the Vikings are 7-7.
Tuesday's win was the 250
th for Ashland head coach
John Ellenwood while guiding the Eagles (250-153).
"I'm glad we got some guys in," Ellenwood said. "We're trying to develop players, and it's tough to do that against a lot of our opponents. I saw some great things out of everybody. We're just trying to get better defensively."
The Eagles dished out 30 assists to just seven turnovers on Tuesday, the 30 helpers being the most for AU's men in a game since having 35 against Kentucky Christian at home on Dec. 19, 2018.
"That's a great stat," Ellenwood said. "That ties into everything for us."
Ashland led 19-13 early before beginning to pull away from the Vikings – and by halftime, the Eagles' lead was 50-22. The inside game was the difference, as senior center
Victor Searls had 19 points in 11 minutes on the floor, and sophomore forward
Maceo Williams added 13 points.
The Eagles made 58.8 percent from the field in the opening half, and kept Villa Maria to 22.6 percent.
In the second half, Ashland went on a 21-0 run to extend its lead past 40 points.
POST-GAME NUGGETS
- Searls posted a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting – not hurting his status as the sixth-best in NCAA Division II in field-goal percentage (68.1) coming into the day.
- "These guys are carrying on that tradition of having great post players," said Ellenwood of Searls and Williams. "Those guys have made themselves into great players. And they're best friends. They love playing together, and I love watching them compete every day."
- Williams ended with 15 points and six rebounds, redshirt freshman wing Cooper Davis scored 11 point in seven minutes off the bench in his first action as an Eagle, and freshman guard Jordan Edwards finished with 10 points and career highs in rebounds (six), assists (seven) and blocked shots (four).
- "It felt great being out there with my guys," Davis said. "I missed them so much. I'm so glad to be able to play. Every day is a process and an opportunity to get better. Every day is a blessing to be around these guys."
- Said Ellenwood, "Cooper…you have to respect him. He's a great shooter. We're just going to keep figuring out who we are as a team."
- Sophomore forward Chris Mitchell had three points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 15 minutes off the bench – the last three categories all being career bests.
- The Eagles made 56.0 percent from the field and 48.0 percent (12-for-25) from 3-point range, and out-rebounded the Vikings, 55-31. Ashland also blocked 11 shots – one shy of the best mark in D-II so far in 2023-24 – and kept Villa Maria to 23.9 percent from the floor.
- Ashland is 4-0 at home this season, and is 25-6 in at "The Kates" in its last 31 outings at home.
UP NEXT
Ashland will return to the floor on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. at home vs. Miami-Middletown (1-11).
