Top-Ranked AU Women Take Care Of Storm At Home

On Saturday (Feb. 4) afternoon, the No. 1-ranked Ashland University women's basketball team ran its 2022-23 record to 23-0 overall and 15-0 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference following an 81-44 win over Lake Erie (8-13, 4-9) at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium.
 
The Eagles remain the only undefeated team in NCAA Division II after winning their 100^th game all-time as the top-ranked squad in the nation (100-3).
 
Ashland kept Lake Erie to 13 points in the second half, stifling the Storm to the tune of 6-for-36 from the field and 1-of-14 from 3-point range.
 
"We have had so much growth in our defense from a month ago to now," said Ashland head coach Kari Pickens, "and credit to the girls. They've been bought in. Any time we've asked them to make changes, they've unquestionably done what we've asked them to do.
 
"I'm really proud of them in our growth in what we've been able to do defensively."
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• At the first media timeout, the Eagles boasted a 13-6 lead, with fifth-year senior guard Hallie Heidemann scoring a quick eight points. The first 10 minutes of the game ended with Ashland leading 28-12, and with AU making 11-of-15 from the field with eight assists. Two of the Eagles' 28 points in the opening period were off seven Storm turnovers.
• Lake Erie worked its deficit down to 32-24 with four minutes left until halftime after a 12-2 run, but Ashland countered at the end of the half with a 15-7 spurt to go into the locker room up 47-31. During that stretch, junior guard Savaya Brockington scored her 10^th point of the game – and her 1,000^th of her collegiate career between Purdue Northwest and Ashland.
• In the first half, the Eagles made 57.6 percent from the field and 7-of-13 from 3-point range, and had 14 assists on 19 made field goals.
• The third quarter saw a scoring stall on both sides, but Ashland still had a sizable 61-35 advantage heading into the final quarter.

 
THE WRAP-UP

• Sophomore forward Hayley Smith scored a team-high 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and both Brockington and sophomore forward Zoe Miller followed with 13 points each.
• "It's been easy to play Ashland basketball," Brockington said. "Just hop in and give that instant energy, that has been a huge blessing. And when we come in, no drop-off."
• Said Miller, "It's just so much fun. Everyone is just so fun to play with. We play for each other. It's a constant wanting everyone to do well."
• Pickens has appreciated what her transfers have brought this season.
• "All four of our transfers have brought so much to our team, on and off the court," she said. "They have enhanced our program in so many ways."
• Heidemann ended with 11 points in her 139^th career game on Saturday, moving into second place alone on AU's all-time list.
• The Eagles made 50 percent from the field and 13-of-24 (54.2 percent) from beyond the arc, and dished out 24 assists on 32 made field goals. On the defensive side, AU kept Lake Erie to 30.8 percent from the field and 2-of-20 from beyond the arc.
• Ashland has won all 19 meetings with the Storm since the start of the 2007-08 season.
• The Eagles are 282-18 after 300 games all-time as a ranked team in Division II.

 
UP NEXT
Ashland will go back on the road to take on Ursuline on Thursday (Feb. 9) at 5:30 p.m.