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THE TURNING POINT: Ashland outscored Shawnee State 22-11 to end the first half, taking a 36-25 lead into halftime.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Eagles' 54.7-percent shooting from the field is their highest in a single game since Feb. 25, 2016 (64.2).
In the last of three consecutive road games to begin the 2016-17 season, Ashland University's men's basketball team (2-1) took a 73-58 decision from Shawnee State (3-3) on Tuesday (Nov. 15) night in Portsmouth, Ohio.
The Eagles' start to the new season means they have won 20 of their last 31 games away from Kates Gymnasium.
Ashland got off to a slow start offensively, trailing 6-0 and not scoring until sophomore guard Nick Bapst converted a field goal at the 14:21 mark of the first half. The Eagles worked a low-scoring beginning to the game to an 8-8 tie nine minutes in on a 3-point field goal by senior forward Torin Wetzel.
The first AU lead (12-11) came on a free throw from sophomore forward Phil Frentsos at the 9:49 mark. The Eagles made their move after a 14-all tie, finishing the half on a 22-11 run to take an 11-point lead into halftime.
By the 12:32 mark in the second half, Ashland had opened up a 20-point lead at 56-36 on a deuce from senior guard Adrian Cook. The Bears couldn't get any closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
Cook finished the night with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, and added four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior guard Boo Osborne added 12 points, six boards and two assists.
Ashland shot 54.7 percent from the field and hit 10 triples, and had a slight 27-24 rebounding advantage. The Eagles turned 16 Bear turnovers into 22 points.
UP NEXT: The 2016-17 home opener on Saturday (Nov. 19) at 3 p.m. against Wilberforce.
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