The tournament atmosphere was evident, and the points and defense were plentiful on Saturday (March 9) afternoon, as the No. 1-ranked Ashland University women's basketball team won its third consecutive Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament championship, 99-58, over Trevecca Nazarene at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium.
With the victory, which gives the Eagles both three straight Great Midwest regular-season and tournament titles, and an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Division II postseason, the Eagles are 30-1 in 2023-24 – the eighth 30-win season in program history, all since 2011-12.
"I'm extremely proud of this group," said Ashland head coach
Kari Pickens, the winningest head coach in NCAA women's basketball history in terms of percentage, minimum 185 games (172-16, .9149). "I thought we came out, we wanted to make a statement, and I thought we made it today."
After not shooting to Ashland standards over the last three games, the Eagles jumped out to a 12-3 lead in the game's first 2:24 after making their first five shots. Trevecca Nazarene (19-11) chipped away at that early deficit, and after the first 10 minutes, AU had a 25-19 lead.
The Eagles turned the ball over just twice in the first period and made 52.6 percent from the field, while the Trojans stayed in the game early by making 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Ashland took its biggest lead to that point at 32-20 after a 3-point field goal from fifth-year guard
Erin Daniels, who had nine points on three triples in her first six minutes on the floor. The Eagles took a 20-point lead at 42-22, and by the break, the lead was a decided 58-30.
A field-goal percentage of 67.6, nine 3-pointers, 16 assists on 23 made field goals, only five turnovers and 12 points off nine TNU miscues all highlighted the first half – as did senior point guard
Savaya Brockington recorded eight points, eight assists and three rebounds.
Ashland led 76-43 through three quarters.
The Eagles head into the NCAA playoffs with a 22-game winning streak, wins in 67 of the last 68 games, and 70 straight victories when leading at half. Ashland finishes the conference season having won 52 straight in Great Midwest play, including tournaments.
Over the last 12-plus seasons, the Eagles have gone 389-40 (.907) with three NCAA Division II national titles, two national runner-up finishes, three undefeated seasons, a D-II-record 73-game winning streak, a D-II-record 39-game road winning streak (current), eight 30-win seasons, 12 NCAA postseason qualifications, nine conference regular-season championships, 10 conference tournament titles, and a mark of 210-14 (.938) at home.
POST-GAME NUGGETS
- Daniels, the tournament Most Valuable Player, led Ashland on Saturday with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3, to go with five assists in 21 minutes off the bench.
- "Erin's story is so unique and so special," said Pickens, referring to Daniels' stint in 2022-23 as a graduate assistant coach. "But what I've loved about Erin is she's been connected to our program for six years. No matter what her role has been…she's come up and played like a senior."
- "It's been nothing short of amazing," said Daniels said of her AU career. "I've loved my time in Ashland. It's just crazy to think I was a GA, and this year, I am playing. It's been the best time."
- Brockington finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and a career-high 11 assists.
- "She's just clutch," Pickens said. "There's some players who have that clutch-time mentality, and Savaya is one of them. This weekend showed that."
- Junior forward Zoe Miller (16 points), freshman guard Lexi Howe (14 points) and fifth-year forward Annie Roshak (13 points) also scored in double figures in the victory. Roshak now has 2,343 career points, and is 25th on the NCAA Division II all-time women's basketball scoring list.
- Brockington and Roshak also were on the all-tournament team.
- Ashland dished out 28 assists to 13 turnovers, marking the 22nd consecutive game with more helpers than miscues.
- The Eagles kept the Trojans to 32.1 percent from the field – the 17th straight game AU has held an opponent to 44.4 percent or less.
- Saturday's game marked AU's most points scored in a conference tournament title game.
- Ashland improves to 137-4 all-time as the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, and 326-15 as a ranked D-II squad.
UP NEXT
The NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament selection show will be Sunday (March 10) at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
