Ashland University's men's basketball team finished the Indiana (Pa.) Thanksgiving Classic at 2-0 following an 87-79 win on Sunday (Nov. 23) against Pitt-Johnstown at IUP.
A fourth consecutive victory overall puts the Eagles at 4-1, while the Mountain Cats are 2-2.
It was a high-scoring start for both teams, with the score standing at 11-11 at the game's first media timeout. Redshirt freshman point guard
Jordan Edwards had eight of those first AU 11 points.
Back-to-back buckets from redshirt freshman guard
Max Dawson and senior forward
Maceo Williams, then a 3-point field goal from junior wing
Cooper Davis, put the Eagles up 33-25 with less than seven minutes to halftime.
And by the break, Ashland's lead was a half-best nine points at 47-37, as Edwards went into the locker room with a dozen points and a half-dozen assists. Sophomore forward
Jason Moore came off the bench for 10 points on 4-of-4 from the field.
The Eagles led by as many as 17 points at 79-62 en route to the win.
THE FOURTH-STRAIGHT WIN WRAP-UP
- Five Eagles scored in double figures, led by Williams' 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 4-of-4 from the foul line. Williams added 13 rebounds and two steals.
- Davis was next with 17 points, and Edwards compiled 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.
- Dawson and Moore each scored 10 points in the win.
- Ashland shot 56.3 percent from the floor – the fourth straight game at better than 51.0 percent.
- The Eagles forced 15 UPJ turnovers, resulting in 17 points.
NEXT UP
Youth Day at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium on Wednesday (Nov. 26) at 1 p.m. vs. Kent State-Tuscarawas (4-3). It is a food drive – free admission with five or more non-perishable items for the Associated Charities Food Bank.
