Our comprehensive coverage of the Ashland University women’s basketball team’s tournament run is made possible through a partnership with Spherion Mid-Ohio.
Spherion Mid-Ohio is a longtime supporter of independent local journalism at the Source and is deeply involved in Ashland and other communities they serve.
ASHLAND — As advertised.
That’s the billing that should follow the Ashland University women’s basketball team.
The Eagles aren’t just the No. 1-ranked Division II squad in the country with a 34-0 record. Coach Kari Pickens has recruited an endearing, fresh-faced, bright-eyed bunch that has captured the imagination of this community.
For the first time in five years the Eagles are going to the Elite Eight, and they’re taking all of us along for the ride.
If you’re planning to travel with our Ashland Eagles on their tournament run, we want to talk to you. Drop us a line at news@ashlandsource.com or fill out this quick form.
We know how important this squad is to Ashland, and we plan to chronicle its story in encompassing fashion.
Ashland Source, thanks to a partnership with Spherion Mid-Ohio, will go as far as AU takes us, first to St. Joseph, Missouri next Monday. Then, hopefully, to a Final Four matchup. If all goes well, we’ll even make the April 1 trek to Dallas for a national title date.
Ashland supporters need no reminder of this team’s grit, nor its potential. The Eagles showed plenty of both in the second half Monday night, rallying from a 29-23 halftime deficit to dismiss fifth-ranked Grand Valley State 61-58.
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While it was a nervous scenario in the stands, the AU players remained collected. As one noted, “We’re the No. 1 team in the country for a reason.”
So they are, and the Lakers learned that hard truth in a brilliant third quarter. Ashland netted five 3-pointers and poured in 22 points in 10 minutes to claim a 45-38 lead heading to the final period. A frantic Grand Valley State rally sliced the deficit all the way to 59-58, before Macy Spielman put it away with two monster free throws at the 11-second mark. A final defensive stop sealed the deal and the celebration began.
While interviewing a number of players on the floor, their intellect and thoughtfulness shone through. All were smiling, some fondling pieces of net they had cut off the rim to go around their regional championship trophy. They seemed poised in victory, focused on the chore ahead, and ready — even eager — to get back to work within hours of the biggest win of the season.
“This was a great test for our team, but we’ve got more to do,” guard Maddie Maloney said. “This team is just a bunch of gym rats. I love it.”
So does the Ashland community.
Monday night’s game drew a near-capacity crowd to Kates Gymnasium despite a bitter, biting wind and sudden snow burst. They roared for the Eagles on each made bucket, and groaned at the occasional odd whistle. They were emotionally invested in a squad that’s been recruited from all over the Midwest and made a home in Ashland. The fans have created a genuine homecourt advantage — unusual in Division II women’s basketball.
Now it’s time to buckle up and see what comes next.
Ashland is 111-3 all time as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, a ranking they will carry through their final game. AU won the 2016-17 national championship and finished national runner-up in 2017-18. This is the first trip back to that hallowed ground of the Elite Eight in five years.
We’ll have a variety of content and social media posts from near and far as we follow the Eagles and their exciting flight. Join us for the ride.
