Eagles gear up for UT Tyler in 2023 Elite Eight

The Eagles look for their second undefeated season in program history

Eagle+guard+Hallie+Heidemann+takes+a+jump+shot+against+the+Lakers+in+the+Regional+Finals.

Brynn Meisse

Eagle guard Hallie Heidemann takes a jump shot against the Lakers in the Regional Finals.

Ethan Jenkins, Reporter

After winning the NCAA Midwest Regional championship, the Ashland University women’s basketball team is off to the Elite Eight to take on the University of Texas at Tyler.

UT Tyler is not like all the other teams in the Elite Eight, they are not coming into the final eight teams as a No. 1 seed from their region. 

The No.8 seeded Patriots went through the South Central region, in the round of 64 through the Sweet Sixteen as the No. 5 seed.

UT Tyler is undefeated on their home floor this season, but 16-7 on the road or at a neutral site. 

The Patriots have three scorers averaging double figures this season Destini Whitehead (12.6), Tina Machalova (12.0) and Lovisa Hevinder (10.4).

As a team, the Patriots average 66.1 points per game, and will be a tough matchup with the No.1 seeded Eagles, who score 83.9 points per contest.

In the Midwest Regional Championship game, it was Purdue Northwest transfer Savaya Brockington, who led the Eagles with 17 points.

With starting point guard, Morgan Yoder, missing the whole Midwest Regional Tournament it is still unknown whether she will be able to play or not on Monday night.

Brockington will have to step into the starting role once more if Yoder cannot play.

Another statistical difference between the two squads is, UT Tyler loses the rebounding battle against opposing teams by about 2 rebounds per contest, meanwhile, the Eagles outrebound opponents by almost 7 rebounds per game.

The boards will be something to keep an eye on in the opening round of the Elite Eight.

A trip to the Final Four is on the line on Monday night, as the No. 1 Eagles take on the No. 8 UT Tyler Patriots at 7 p.m. EST.

Watch, Listen, and Read

Listen to the game:https://wrdlfm.com/ (pregame starting at 6:45)

Watch the game: https://www.ncaa.com/game/6131003 

Live stats: https://www.ncaa.com/game/6131003