Ashland University’s women’s basketball team has pulled off another nail-biting contest, this time against a conference opponent in the Malone Pioneers.

The victory, which clinched the undefeated regular season and gave the team confidence heading into the postseason, came down to the wire in Kate’s Gymnasium.

In the first 10 minutes of the contest, the Eagles battled back and forth with the Pioneers who came to play on the road. While the Eagles shot 50% from both the field and beyond the arc, the Pioneers 36% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, keeping the contest within two points.

With 10 minutes to play until halftime hit, the Eagles started to self-implode as they turned the ball over more than 10 times in the first half and put up just eight points in the second quarter. The Pioneers, led by Alexis Hutchison, continued to provide consistent scoring as they outscored the Eagles 14-8 in the second quarter which would give them the lead heading into halftime.

The team looked flat-footed and couldn’t get a quick step offensively, resulting in the Pioneers having momentum as they led 27-23.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Eagles found their footing once again as they tied the game back up at the end of 30 minutes, 43-43.

In the fourth quarter, the shooting struggles once again plagued the Eagles as they shot 35% from the field and 17% from beyond the arc, but the team’s defense stepped up in big moments and held the Pioneers to just 12 points while the offense put up 16 to close out the contest.

Annie Roshak would secure the game-winning free throws, and game-winning steal, before pumping her fist into the air to keep the Eagle faithful excited for the postseason.

Roshak finished with eight points, while her counterpart Hayley Smith finished with 11. Graduate guard Hallie Heidemann knocked down five three-pointers for 19 points.

With the win, this marks the fourth time in program history that the team has had an undefeated regular season. The Eagles are looking for just their second fully completed undefeated season this postseason.

They will take on an opponent and time that has yet to be determined on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Kates Gymnasium.