SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota — On the road for the first time this postseason. Target on the back. Extremely hard to repeat as a champion. The Ashland University women’s basketball team heard those storylines all week long.
None proved worthy of their attention Monday night as the Eagles turned in yet another commanding performance, beating Montana State University-Billings 91-73 during the Elite Eight matchup at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
And in case you’re tired of reading about the 72-game winning streak spanning two seasons, here’s a new stat: Ashland set the mark for most points ever scored in a women’s basketball campaign, topping the University of Connecticut’s total of 3,481, and the Eagles’ number is still growing.
This team is sports history; changing the record books every game and it’s now two wins away from back-to-back national titles.
The Yellowjackets deserve some credit, as they were able to have some success against Ashland’s full-court press and unrelenting speed. But it wasn’t enough.
“Great game, a lot of credit to Montana State, what a run they had, really tough team,” Ashland coach Robyn Fralick said. “I was proud of our team’s fight. I loved our team’s fight. We would go on a run, then they would go on a run, and they cut it to seven at one point.”
In the third quarter, MSUB outscored the Eagles 21-18. With the deficit down to seven, and it being March Madness, the anxiety of Eagle fans filled the arena. But it was back to business in the final period, led by play of Crestview graduate Renee Stimpert.
The former Cougar steadied the ship with six assists and hit 7 of 15 shots, while Andi Daugherty was perfect from behind the arc and sophomore superstar Jodi Johnson added eight steals. All five starters finished in double figures, Laina Snyder led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds. Daugherty had 20 points, six boards and four assists. Stimpert chipped in 14 points, had eight rebounds and added six assists; sophomore guard Jodi Johnson chipped in with 13 points and nine boards; and junior guard Maddie Dackin added 10 points.
“We play really well when we play small and the pace is fast, and that has been our style of play all year,” Stimpert said. “I know that’s my job and the guards are running the first post touch (that) really helped our offense get set and (get) first looks. I’m just doing my job.”
Ashland’s all-time leading scorer Snyder was the target of the Yellowjackets’ interior defense, and was forced to work hard during a 9-of-23 shooting performance.
“I have confidence in my players, and we were getting the shots we wanted tonight,” Fralick said. “That’s what matters.”
Any coach going against Ashland has matchup nightmares when it comes to gameplanning, no matter where on the court.
“We played a good game. Ashland is very good, just like we knew,” said MSUB coach Kevin Wooden. “I was very impressed with their overall team speed and want to congratulate them on the win.”
From the tip, both teams were seduced by the adrenaline rush of the Elite 8, and there was more huffing and puffing than made shots.
The tide turned in Ashland’s favor with the defense of the 2018 WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year, Johnson, who led the nation in steals and was all over the ball.
MSUB countered with the post presence of Alisha Breen, who finished with 25 points.
“We were picked 7th in our conference preseason, so no one expected us to be here,” Breen said. “We turned a lot of heads along the way. We got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Sioux Falls.”
Despite trailing 50-40 at intermission, MSBU never surrendered led by the spunky play of senior Rylee Kane.
“I know we lost, but I’m just excited that we made it here,” Kane said.
The Eagles appeared to take control when Daugherty’s trey made it 61-42. But after a timeout to regroup, the Yellowjackets peeled off a 19-7 spurt to close within 68-61.
“To begin the second half, I thought that we really had a great start,” Fralick said. “Defensively, we had some lapses, gave up some open looks, and that was part of (their) run.”
Through 72 games, however, Ashland has learned that rolling with the punches is part of the game at the highest level.
“We’ve had an unbelievable season and we’ve had games like that before so we’re a very experienced team,” Daugherty said. “A lot back from our national championship team last year. It’s a fine group of girls to play with, and honestly, this group, our biggest enemy is ourselves.
“Our purple swarm, our crowd, traveled excellent tonight.”
Interestingly, Ashland was the only higher seeded team to win in the four Elite Eight games. The No. 5-seed Indiana, Pa., knocked off 4th-seeded Stonehill 75-71, setting up a meeting with Ashland in the Final Four Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.
The two games on the other side of the bracket were both upsets, as #7 Union Tennessee beat #2 Carson-Newman, 73-70, and #6 Central Missouri beat #3 Lubbock Christian, 72-62.
Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University.
