ASHLAND — It takes mental and physical focus to beat a basketball team four times in a season. But who wants a deep NCAA tournament run without adversity mixed with great competition?

The No. 1-ranked Ashland University women’s basketball team booked its ticket to the Sweet 16 on Saturday night in the Division II NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal, defeating Grand Valley State 80-68 at Kates Gymnasium.

“We know them already, we both know each other and I think we just have to come in and play really hard,” said Ashland’s Maddie Dackin. “That was our mindset and we knew what we needed to do to get it done.”

The Lakers were the top defensive team in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this year, anchored by center Cassidy Boensch and forward Korynn Hincka. That size helped GVS to a 29-17 edge on the glass, but it didn’t matter.

“I think it’s the same thing, game in and game out, honestly, Natalie and Jen, and everyone really, have been working to get me the ball and I don’t think my job’s been too hard from there,” Boensch said.

The problem was that after the Lakers got the ball, they couldn’t hang on to it. Ashland forced a whopping 30 turnovers.

“That was the difference in the game. We turned it over. It was on us,” said Grand Valley coach Mike Williams.

Despite the final score, the game was a back-and-forth affair for three quarters, with four ties and eight lead changes.

Ashland fell behind early but a Jodi Johnson trey helped the Eagles take an 18-14 first-quarter lead.

GVS scrapped in front late in the second quarter but Ashland scored the final six points of the half to take a 36-31 advantage into intermission.

“You saw at the end of the second quarter, we were able to get a few turnovers, in what, a couple of seconds, and we were able to transition that into points and go into halftime with a lead,” Johnson said.

With five minutes remaining in the third period, Ashland owned a 44-42 advantage when Crestview graduate Renee Stimpert asserted herself. The quick guard pushed the pace and netted six points to fuel a 14-6 burst to forge a 58-48 advantage.

“I just wanted to do whatever I could to help the team,” Stimpert said. “I knew our defense picked up and the 3rd is an important quarter to finish out the game.”

As the fouls began to mount, Ashland’s depth showed in the fourth quarter.

“The strength of our team is the team, relying on whoever it is, whether we are in foul trouble or rotation, whoever it may be to go in and do their job and do it well,” Eagles’ coach Robyn Fralick said.

Two top seeds have already fallen in the NCAA Division II women’s tournament, and the Lakers were convinced they could add to that list.

“This one hurts, really. I thought we were going to get them this times,” said Grand Valley State coach Natalie Koenig. “Just losing four times, that hurts. But they are a good team. They are a great team.”

Senior Laina Snyder topped five Eagles in double figures with 21 points. Stimpert and Johnson had 19 apiece, while Dackin and Andi Daugherty each chipped in with 11 points.

Boensch poured in 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting for the Lakers, while guard Natalie Koenig and Jenn DeBoer added 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

Ashland will host Drury at 7 p.m. at Kates Gymnasium in Monday night’s Midwest Regional Final.

“Really proud of this team. They are fun to coach,” Fralick said. “They are a group that loves to play, loves to compete. I’m thankful that we get to spend more time together because it’s a group that you want to be around.”

The Elite Eight, Final Four and national championship games will take place March 19, 21 and 23, respectively, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University.