LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
On the surface, Friday (March 9) night's 104-82 win for Ashland University's women's basketball team over Hillsdale at Kates Gymnasium in a 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional quarterfinal was just the latest in the top-ranked Eagles' 69-game winning streak.
However…
- The victory puts Ashland (32-0) in the D-II round of 32 for the fourth consecutive season and the seventh time since 2004.
- It was the Eagles' 19th game with 100-plus points this season, breaking the NCAA women's basketball all-levels record for one campaign.
- It extended that winning streak, the sixth-longest in NCAA basketball history, regardless of level or gender, and puts Ashland one win away from tying Connecticut (70) for the fifth-longest win streak all-time.
- And, it gives Eagles head coach Robyn Fralick an unprecedented career record of 100-2 (.980).
"I thought we played with a ton of energy to start the game," said Fralick. "That set the tone for the game."
Said senior forward Andi Daugherty, "We got coach with some silly string in the locker room after the game. It was a good celebration. It's been unbelievable what she's been able to lead this program to do the last three years, and we're fortunate to have her at Ashland."
The Chargers' season ends at 19-11.
TEN TAKEAWAYS
1. Leading the way for Ashland's record-scoring offense was senior forward Laina Snyder, who posted 22 points and added 11 rebounds for her 47th career double-double. Snyder also had four assists in the victory.
2. Following close behind in the scoring column were sophomore guard Jodi Johnson (19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals), sophomore guard Renee Stimpert (18 points, four rebounds, five assists, three steals), and Daugherty (17 points, four rebounds, four assists). Johnson set a new Ashland single-season record for free throws made (148) in the victory, and with 1,059 career points, moved into 19th place on the Eagles' all-time scoring list.
"Renee's a dynamic player, because she can score and pass," said Fralick of Stimpert, who tied her career high with four triples in a game.
"They were leaving me wide open, so it's my job to hit the three," Stimpert said.
3. Sophomore guard Sarah Hart came off the bench for 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in 17 mnutes, while junior guard Maddie Dackin chipped in with 10 points despite first-half foul trouble.
4. The Eagles shot 50 percent from the field, hit 12 3-point field goals, were 18-for-22 from the free-throw line, and had 25 assists to eight turnovers.
5. Ashland has the best D-II postseason winning percentage (.815, 22-5) among programs with at least 25 games played. The Eagles are 7-1 all-time in Midwest Regional quarterfinals, and 5-0 in those games at home.
6. Both the 104 points and 25 assists set new Ashland single-game NCAA Tournament standards.
7. Friday night's victory was the Eagles' 11th in the last 12 outings vs. the Chargers.
8. The first quarter was dominated by Snyder, who scored 13 of her points in the game's first 10 minutes. Ashland led 33-16 going into the second quarter, thanks in large part to 15 points off eight Charger turnovers.
9. By halftime, the Eagles had a 59-34 advantage, thanks to a breakout scoring showing by Stimpert (16 points), and Daugherty scoring all 10 of her first-half points in the second period.
10. For the Chargers, Allie Dittmer scored a game-high 31 points and ended with nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
A Midwest Regional semifinal on Saturday (March 10) at 7:30 p.m. vs. Grand Valley State (26-6).
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