In its first game back as the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division II, Ashland University women's basketball took a 62-45 decision from Tiffin on Thursday (Jan. 25) night at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium.
The Eagles improve to 17-1 overall and 10-0 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, while the Dragons are 4-15, 2-9.
"I thought we had a great defensive performance for a huge part of the game," said Ashland head coach
Kari Pickens. "Offensively, we took good shots. They just didn't fall today.
"I love that we were able to walk away from a game where we shot 32 percent from the field and win by 17 points."
Thursday night's win was Ashland's ninth in a row, and 54
th in the last 55 games. The Eagles have won 39 consecutive games within the conference, including tournaments.
Senior guard
Macy Spielman scored Ashland's first seven points, helping the Eagles to a 10-5 lead halfway through the opening quarter. When the period came to an end, Ashland led 18-13, and scored eight points off six Dragons turnovers.
While the Eagle defense continued to be strong throughout the first half (forcing a dozen turnovers and allowing 9-of-22 from the field), the AU offense only scored 12 second-quarter points to take a 30-22 lead into halftime.
Ashland began to break away from Tiffin in the third quarter, as six consecutive points put the Eagles on top by 14. A 13-2 run to begin the second half put AU on top, 43-24 – as the Dragons stopped play with a timeout.
The Dragons scored just nine points for a second consecutive quarter, and heading into the fourth, Ashland led 46-31.
POST-GAME NUGGETS
- Junior forward Hayley Smith led the way with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
- "I thought she was really shot-ready from the top of the key," Pickens said. "She's a presence inside. Her rebounding, she is just an animal on the boards, and it makes a big difference for our team."
- Spielman finished with 11 points.
- Despite shooting a season-low 32.2 percent from the field, Ashland turned 21 Tiffin turnovers into 23 points.
- "We had been shooting quite well from 3," Pickens noted. "Sometimes, it goes your way, and sometimes, it doesn't."
- The Eagles are 120 games over .500 as the No. 1 team in the country (124-4), and 313-19 as a ranked team in D-II.
UP NEXT
Another Great Midwest game at home on Wednesday (Jan. 31) at 5:30 p.m. vs. Northwood (10-6, 6-3).
"Northwood's going to be a big opponent for us. They are a tough, gritty team," said Pickens.
