For the second time in the early part of the 2024-25 season, the No. 5-ranked Ashland University women's basketball team earned a victory.
And for the 40
th consecutive time – an NCAA Division II women's basketball record – the Eagles (2-1) won the road, 71-47, at Indianapolis (0-1) on Friday (Nov. 8) night.
Also on Friday night, senior forward
Hayley Smith became the 28
th player in Eagle women's basketball program history to score at least 1,000 career points. With a game-high 18 points, Smith has 1,007 in her career – 27
th on AU's all-time scoring list.
A 10-4 AU lead through the first six minutes of the game was buoyed by three 3-pointers from senior point guard
Morgan Yoder. By the end of the opening quarter, the Eagles' lead was 14-4 – thanks in large part to UIndy turning the ball over eight times and going 2-of-12 from the field.
The Greyhounds went scoreless for the final 9:05 of the first quarter.
At the half, Ashland led 28-16 – and 15 of the Eagles' points came following 15 Indianapolis turnovers.
An 11-2 run to begin the second half lifted Ashland to a 39-18 lead, then the Eagles led 48-29 going into the final period. Smith scored her 1,000
th and 1,001
st points on a layup early in the fourth quarter.
SWEENEY TIES CAREER HIGH IN THEFTS…AND THE REST OF THE STORY
- Graduate guard Lydia Sweeney tied her career high with seven steals on Friday night – as the Eagles turned the Greyhounds over 28 times (and scoring 28 points off the those).
- Smith added 12 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, and was 8-for-10 from the floor.
- Yoder posted 16 points, including five treys.
- Ashland has topped UIndy in eight consecutive meetings.
UP NEXT
The end of the four-game road swing to begin the new campaign on Sunday (Nov. 10) at 2 p.m. at Wayne State (0-1).
