The Ashland University Eagles opened up the 2016 regular season with a bang as they defeated Cedarville and Alderson-Broaddus in the GLIAC/GMAC exempt tournament.

The Eagles opened the weekend up against Cedarville (0-2) on Friday with a 91-45 victory. It was the fourth straight season that the Eagles opened the season up against the Yellow Jackets and the Eagles dominated from the start.

They led 16-11 after the first quarter before they exploded for 37 points in the second to give them a 53-21 lead at the half. The second half was not much different for the Eagles as they continued to dominate in all phases of the game.

Andi Daugherty lead all scorers with 20 points, while Kelsey Peare and Laina Snyder chipped in 14 points apiece. Peare stayed hot from downtown as she was 4-4 on the day. Julie Worley and Sara Loomis had 18 rebounds combined coming off the bench for the Eagles. 

AU only shot 42.9% from the field but they scored 34 points off turnovers and opened their season with a 46-point win.

Regina Hochstetler led the Yellow Jackets with 14 points and Emily Williams scored eight points off the bench. 

After the Eagles 46-point win, the Eagles came back on Saturday night and truly proved why they are one of the best teams in the country. 

The No. 5 Eagles took on the Alderson-Broaddus Battlers (0-2) and the Eagles came to play as they defeated the Battlers 128-41. Their victory was not only one of complete domination over the Battlers, but also allowed for several records to be broken for the Eagle squad as well.

Shattering their previous record of 112, the Eagles set a new school record for points in a game. The Eagles led 60-20 at the half and they did not stop there as they scored 34 points in each of the final two quarters en route to the 87-point victory. 

The Eagles hit the 100-point mark for the first time since 2014 and they also set a school record for assists in a game with 35.

Laina Snyder’s third quarter bucket gave her 1,000 points in her career at AU. The Junior forward finished the game with 12 points. Seven Eagles finished in double figures as freshman, Sara Loomis lead all scorers with 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds.

Daugherty and Peare both had 14 points from the starting lineup while Rachelle Morrison and Julie Worley added 13 points off the bench. Freshmen guard, Renee Stimpert had eight assists off the bench for the Eagles. 

As a team, the Eagles shot 62.8% from the field and grabbed 51 rebounds. The Eagles bench scored 75 points against the Battlers.

The Eagles started their season off right where they left off as they won their 27th straight regular season home game. The Eagles will remain at home next weekend (Nov. 19) as they will take on the Indianapolis Greyhounds inside Kate’s Gymnasium.