ASHLAND – For the No. 1 ranked Ashland University women’s basketball team, Monday night’s Division II Midwest Regional Final game in Kates Gymnasium was a chance for them to get some redemption.
A year ago, the Eagles were the No. 1 seed when they lost 86-60 in the regional semifinal to the Drury Panthers on their home court. This year, the Eagles came out on top as they beat Drury 74-62 to advance to next week’s Elite Eight in Columbus.
“This team has just done things the right way,” Ashland coach Robyn Fralick said. “They’ve cared about the team first, they’ve had a blast doing it. They’ve worked really hard. They’re unselfish. They’re joyful. When those things align, you see good things happen. Obviously it’s fun to win games. It’s fun to win that game. That’s a special, special moment in Kates Gym. But the best part is they’ve done things the right way. As they’re coach, I love that that has been rewarded.”
Ashland (34-0) opened the game strong, forcing 8 turnovers in the opening stanza on the way to a 16-11 lead. After the Eagles scored the first basket of the second quarter, Drury (30-4) went on a 13-6 run to knot the game at 24 with 2 ½ minutes left in the first half. The Eagles were able to close the half out strong, scoring the final 5 points on a 3-pointer by Jodi Johnson and a layup by Renee Stimpert, taking a 29-24 lead into the locker room.
“It took us a little while to figure out, ‘Let’s just settle in and do what we always do,” Fralick said.
Ashland shot just 37.9 percent from the field in the first half and committed 11 turnovers, but they also forced 13 Drury turnovers and held them to 34.4 percent shooting in the half.
“What I was most proud of was our defense was really good. Drury’s a really good team and they’re a really hard team to guard,” Fralick said.
The Eagles opened the second half with a 6-0 run on a 3-point play by Johnson and 3-pointer by Kelsey Peare. Drury answered with a 20-10 run, cutting Ashland’s lead to 1 at 45-44. Ashland responded with a 10-2 run to end the quarter with a 55-46 lead.
Johnson provided the spark Ashland needed with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
“She was dynamite the whole game,” Fralick said.” Jodi just found ways to make plays. Whether it was scoring, getting to the free throw line, second shots, offensive rebounds, getting in passing lanes. She just found ways to make plays outside of what we normally do. She was excellent.”
“Jodi is the spark of this team. She brings such athleticism, confidence and like a spunkiness to her. She was the game changer tonight,” junior Andi Daugherty said of her teammate.
Junior Julie Worley came off the bench to chip in 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
“She’s been a spark all season,” Fralick said. “What a player to bring into a game.”
Laina Snyder and Peare both added 11 points for Ashland.
Daugherty earned her first regional Most Outstanding Player award, posting 45 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists in the tournament. She scored 9 points, dished 4 assists and grabbed 6 boards in Monday’s regional final.
“For the eight returners, we were motivated. It started the day after we lost. We put in the work over the summer,” Daugherty said. “I thought everyone played an outstanding week of basketball and I’m so proud of them.”
Johnson and Snyder also were named to the All-Tournament Team.
For Drury, Hailey Diestelkamp, Heather Harman and Paige Wilson each scored 14 points.
The Eagles will play at Ohio Dominican in Columbus on March 21. The time and opponent have not yet been announced.
“it’s unbelievable for us that we get to have it just down the road. That’s really cool,” Fralick said.
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