ASHLAND — The No. 1-ranked Ashland University women's basketball team battled with the Malone College for the fourth time this season Friday night, and this Division II NCAA Tournament clash was a challenge.
But the Eagles defeated the Pioneers 72-65 in a regional quarterfinal game to fulfill the March Madness mantra -- survive and advance.
The undefeated Eagles (32-0) will go on to face Trevecca Nazarene University (22-9) in the NCAA regional semifinals Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Kates Gymnasium in Ashland. Trevecca edged Michigan Tech 65-63 on Friday night in another quarterfinal clash.
AU was able to move on by surviving a late Malone charge.
The Pioneers set the pace in the first quarter, but AU moved on top 13-11 with 4 seconds showing in the period when Hallie Heidemann canned a corner three. Heidemann added seven more points in the second quarter to push the Eagles on top 33-23 at the half. Ashland maintained its edge in the third period and went to the final stanza with a 50-39 margin.
But Malone (21-10) refused to go quietly.
A furious Pioneer rally, spurred on by a 15-5 run, pulled the visitors within 55-54 with 5:39 remaining, and it was seat-squirming time in Kates Gymnasium. The spree wasn't over either.
Malone's Alexis Hutchinson netted two points and set up three more with a steal from Ashland's Zoe Miller, putting Malone up 59-57 for the first time since the first period.
"Our defense in that stretch was poor, and we just had to stick to our principles better. We weren't surprised by anything that happened. Shooters were shooting, the three drivers were driving," Ashland University head coach Kari Pickens said.Â
After an Ashland timeout, junior Macy Spielman tied the game with a post up on a set play.
"I was thankful that they trusted me in that situation," Spielman said.
Spielman added a 3-pointer, but the Pioneers got a layup from Kylie Horn to again make it a one-point game.
Finally, Ashland's Annie Roshak and Savaya Brockington secured an Eagles win with 10 free throws down the stretch to subdue Malone.
Heidemann and Roshak led the Eagles with 18 and 16 points respectively, while Malone's Alexis Hutchison — who played all 40 minutes — put up a game-high 32 points.
"Alexis Hutchinson is an incredible basketball player and we did not contain her well and she scored half of their points," Pickens said.Â
It was also a standout game for Ashland's Macy Spielman, who scored 10 points on six shots.
