Thanks in large part to a season-best free throw-shooting showing, Ashland University's women's basketball team extended its winning streak to five games on Thursday (Jan. 15) night, winning 73-63 at Tiffin.
The Eagles remain undefeated in January 2026, improving to 10-5 overall and 6-3 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference – and moving into the No. 4 spot in the league. Ashland has won 39 consecutive January contests overall.
Making 28-of-29 from the charity stripe, the Eagles finished with a season high in percentage (96.6), makes and attempts.
Halfway through the first quarter, the scoreboard was tight at a 14-12 Ashland lead, as sophomore point guard
Ashley Mullet scored six of those early Eagle points. The game was tied at 21 going into the second period, with Mullet and freshman forward
Jenna Slates each accounting for eight points – and Slates, six rebounds.
At the half, the Eagles led 36-33 – following a 20 minutes in which there were six lead changes and six tie scores, and neither team led by more than five points. AU went 14-of-15 from the free-throw line, and Slates nearly had a double-double going into the locker room (12 points, nine rebounds).
Following a 3-point field goal from graduate guard
Natalie Thomas, then a trey from junior guard
Gia Casalinova, Ashland had its biggest lead to that point at 47-38. The Eagles then led 53-43 going into the fourth quarter, but the Dragons (8-8, 3-6) worked their deficit down to three points, 57-54, with six minutes remaining in regulation.
Slates, however, made three straight baskets – the second starting an old-fashioned 3-pointer - to stem the tide and restore the Ashland lead to 10 points at 64-54.
SLATES…DOUBLE-DOUBLE…AGAIN…
- Slates ended with 14 rebounds for a second straight game, and scored a game-high 23 points, for her ninth double-double of the season.
- Junior forward Katelyn Harabedian added a career-high 13 points, Casalinova scored a dozen points, and Mullet finished with 10.
- Ashland out-rebounded Tiffin, 43-31.
COMING UP
A week between games, then back to the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium on Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m. vs. Ursuline.
