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Ashland University has been a pacesetter in NCAA Division II women's basketball for several seasons.
The Eagles continue to work their way up a historical ladder, and on Monday (Dec. 18) night at Kates Gymnasium, their 105-66 victory over Indianapolis not only moved them to 12-0 on the 2017-18 season, it also was their 49th win in a row – tied for the second-best winning streak in D-II women's hoops history.
"It's a great start," said Ashland head coach Robyn Fralick, now 80-2 (.976) as a head coach. "We talked about we feel like we're on a special journey. It's a start, but it's a great start."
North Dakota State also won 49 games in a row from Feb. 25, 1994-Dec. 15, 1995. Washburn has the D-II women's basketball record of 51 wins in a row (Jan. 26, 2005-March 11, 2006).
On a night when they were looking forward to Christmas Break by wearing holiday-themed socks, the Eagles received several solid all-around performances that would have kept Santa Claus jolly throughout the season.
Senior forward Andi Daugherty became the first player other than senior forward Laina Snyder or sophomore guard Jodi Johnson to lead the team in scoring this season, posting 22 points to go with seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. Daugherty was 8-for-11 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
"We're in the middle of something very special," said Daugherty. "We don't really talk about the streak. It's cliché, but it's really one game at a time."
Snyder followed right behind with 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for her 41st career double-double, and added four assists and two thefts. Junior guard Maddie Dackin went for 16 points and five helpers, while senior forward Julie Worley came off the bench for 10 points in eight minutes, hitting all three field goals and all four free throws.
Ashland shot 55.7 percent from the field and 19-of-20 from the free-throw line. The Eagles were No. 2 in the country in foul shooting at 82.5 percent coming into the contest.
"Getting to the free-throw line and making free throws, and scoring when the clock is stopped, is a big factor," Fralick said.
TEN TAKEAWAYS
1. The two teams were tied at 12 just prior to the first media timeout of the game, but the Eagles scored the game's next nine points. To finish the quarter after being tied, Ashland went on a 19-6 run to take a 31-18 lead into the second period.
2. In the game's first 10 minutes, the Eagles turned eight Indy turnovers into a dozen points. Ashland also had nine assists on 13 made field goals.
3. At halftime, the lead was 63-32, thanks to a perfect 12-for-12 showing from the free-throw line, 17 assists on 23 made field goals and 22 points off 14 Greyhounds miscues. Daugherty was halfway to a triple-double with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.
4. Snyder's 20 points gives her 1,817 in her career. She became the second player in program history to go past 1,800 career points (Amber Rall school-record 2,087) on Monday night.
5. Daugherty is in sole possession of fifth place on Ashland's all-time rebounding list at 800.
6. In scoring 105 points, the Eagles have scored in triple figures in three of the last four games, and have posted at least 95 points for a school-record six games in a row.
7. Ashland had 29 assists on 39 made field goals in the victory. The Eagles are the Division II leader in that category (24.3 per game).
8. Johnson was in early foul trouble, then was injured. One of the beneficiaries of extra playing time was sophomore guard/forward Sara Loomis, who went for eight points, five rebounds and five blocked shots. "In practice, my teammates make me a lot better. Practice is harder than games for sure," Loomis said. "Going up against the best in the nation, just being ready when the time comes."
9. In defeat, Indianapolis guard Martha Burse scored a game-high 27 points and added four steals in 32 minutes before fouling out.
10. Ashland also has won 46 games in a row in the regular season, 45 in a row at home in the regular season and 26 in a row at home.
UP NEXT
Christmas Break, followed by a home game on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. vs. Bellarmine (6-3 going into a game on Dec. 19 at Ohio Dominican).
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