This past week the Ashland University Women’s Basketball Team traveled to Springfield, Missouri to compete in the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center Thanksgiving Classic.

The Eagles kicked off the competition on Tuesday against Truman State.

In the first half of play, Ashland was looking strong with 14 3-point field goals. Truman was leading the game for the majority of the first half until the team traded leads with five minutes left in the first half.

Ashland went on a 9-2 run to finish the half when they were leading 35-33.

Late into the third quarter, Ashland was leading by 21 points until the Bulldogs kicked it into gear and went on a 15-3 run late in the third to take the lead from the Eagles. 

Despite Truman’s comeback efforts, Ashland pulled ahead in the fourth quarter and defeated the Bulldogs 96-88.

Ashland was led on the floor by senior Annie Roashak (21), junior guard Savaya Brockington (16), and sophomore forwards Zoe Miller and Hayley Smith (14 each).

Following the game, Ashland was moved up to No. 3 in the first regular-season WBCA poll.  

The following day on Wednesday, Ashland matched up against No. 7 Drury. The match-up was the first time the Eagles and Panthers have seen each other in the regular season. 

The start of the beginning quarter began with a slow start with Ashland leading 8-7 with only minutes left in the first quarter. 

The two teams were head to head during the second quarter, accounting for nine lead changes and six ties, ultimately ending with Ashland leading 32-27 at the half. 

In the second half, Dury managed to steal the lead in the fourth until Hallie Heidemann sank a three to put the Eagles back on top 53-50, while also tying Taylor Woods for most 3-point field goals in program history with 274 and now counting. 

The game continued in a back-and-forth fashion, and with 39 seconds left, the Bulldogs tied the game 59-59 to send the two teams into overtime. 

In extra time, Ashland was trailing until combined efforts from Annie Roshak and Morgan Yoder helped put the Eagles on top 68-67, making it the final score of the night. The Eagles survived and finished, continuing their undefeated record early in the season.

The 66-0 Eagles will kick off GMAC play on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Findlay and debut GMAC play at home on Saturday against Tiffin on Dec. 3.