Not content to knock off nationally-ranked Hillsdale once in 2022-23, Ashland University's men's basketball team has now done it twice.
On Saturday (Feb. 18) afternoon at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium, the Eagles defeated the No. 13-ranked Chargers, 80-67, to improve to 18-8 overall and 14-4 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. More importantly, Ashland and Walsh are only half-game behind first-place Hillsdale (22-4, 15-4) with two games left in the regular season.
"We control our own destiny," said Ashland head coach
John Ellenwood. "They're a great team. John Tharp is one of the best coaches in the country at any level. Our guys do a great job of getting prepared to play a great team. I'm very proud of them for that."
Ashland is 16-4 in its last 20 games following a 2-4 beginning to the season.
WHAT HAPPENED
- Hillsdale jumped ahead 11-5 at the first media timeout, but senior guard Brandon Haraway scored nine points in the first eight minutes, as Ashland trailed 19-14 at the second media stoppage.
- Haraway's layup put Ashland on top at 23-22 inside of the 10-minute mark of the first half, and he had 16 points at that juncture. There was little room between the Eagles and Chargers, and by halftime, the score was 40-39 in favor of AU – thanks in large measure to Haraway's 20 points.
- The first 20 minutes saw the Eagles shoot 58.1 percent, and the Chargers 53.3 percent. Each team turned the ball over just four times.
- Ashland and Hillsdale were tied for the third time in the game at 45-all when the first second-half media timeout was called, with Haraway at the 25-point mark. The Eagles led 52-51 prior to a 7-2 spurt while forced a Charger timeout.
- A 63-55 advantage was Ashland's biggest lead to that point, then Haraway's driving layup gave the Eagles their first double-digit lead at 65-55 inside of the six-minute mark.
- Haraway's two charity tosses put him at 31 points, and put AU's lead at 72-62 with 2:58 left, then senior forward Ethan Conley's putback gave Ashland a 78-64 lead late – leading to the victory.
THE WRAP-UP
- Haraway finished with 31 points and six assists. He has 61 points over the last two games, and 123 points over his last five outings.
- "I love it. To get to this level with this team, it's amazing," Haraway said.
- Said Ellenwood, "One thing you can say is MVP. I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the country. I think he's such a warrior and a pleasure to coach."
- Fifth-year forward James Manns added 15 points, while Conley added 10 points and six rebounds. Redshirt freshman forward Maceo Williams narrowly missed a double-double (eight points, 10 rebounds), and freshman point guard Derrick James added six points, five assists, and solid defense off the bench.
- "I thought Doogie James did a heck of a job," Ellenwood said. "He did the job for us, and we needed him."
- The Eagles shot 55.4 percent from the field, marking the fourth game in a row AU has shot better than 50.0, and the seventh time in the last 10 contests Ashland has done so. After making 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, the Eagles have accomplished at least that in six consecutive games.
- Ashland ended the day with 16 assists to just seven turnovers.
- "We're taking care of the ball," Ellenwood said.
- Ashland's Senior Day honorees prior to Saturday's game were Manns, forwards Andrew Keep and C.J. Karsatos and guard Luke Metzger.
UP NEXT
Ashland will play its next-to-last regular-season game on Thursday (Feb. 23) at 7:30 p.m. at home against Malone (14-10, 9-9).
