For the first time in ten years, the Ashland University’s men’s basketball team hosted the first round of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and now they can look to host the entire thing.

The Eagles had a successful opening night to the GLIAC Tournament after defeating Grand Valley State 67-58. Being tied for first in the conference with Saginaw Valley State, the team still had the opportunity to host the remainder of the GLIAC Tournament. With Saginaw Valley State’s loss to the underdog, the Walsh Cavaliers 91-58, this opportunity came true.

The Eagles only faced the Lakers once this season and the game was not settled in the first 40 minutes. The game was tied at the end of both the first half 27-27 and the second half, 65-65. AU was able to come out with the victory 76-72 in overtime on the road.

Going into the game, the South Division Champion Eagles were ranked No. 11 nationally. The Eagles now hold a 24-4 record while the Lakers maintain an 18-10 overall record.

“For a first round match up, that is not an easy draw and our guys handled it as well as they could,” said head coach John Ellenwood. “At the end of the game [Grand Valley] did not know how to quit. The good thing is, neither do our guys.”

The Eagles were down throughout the first ten minutes of the half, although after an Eagle timeout, junior guards Boo Osborne and Adrian Cook took over, scoring a combined 24 points for AU.

By the end of the first half, the Eagles were comfortably ahead, holding a 12-point lead, 36-24.

The start of the second half saw the Lakers score the first three points, although the Eagles responded with two points of their own score by sophomore Marsalis Hamilton and two consecutive blocks by senior Michael Hundley.

Throughout the entire game, Hundley collected a total of ten blocks, beating the school’s record of eight.

“Ten blocks,” said Ellenwood. “That is unbelievable. He imposes his will and there is just an effort there that is unmatched. It is hard to understand unless you are in that situation. If you love basketball you do not want it to end and you just play with passion and that is what Mike is doing right now and our guys are feeding off of it.”

The Eagles led by ten point for the next three minutes, before Cook scored two consecutive baskets making the score 45-31 with 12 minutes left in the second half. Cook had the game high of 20 points along with six assists.

“I felt good out there,” said Cook. “I take pride and credit for my teammates and myself.”

It was the Eagle’s defense that really gave them the momentous push they needed to remain ahead.

Hundley provided three more blocks on one trip down on defense. These blocks lead to a two-point basket make by Hamilton followed by another quick three-point shot made by Davis.

“Once I get in the rhythm I feel like I can just block anything,” said Hundley. “We talk defense every day as a team and we are a defense oriented team and always ready to play.”

Although AU allowed the Lakers to score some points, they next let up their lead, remaining ahead 62-47 with just over two minutes left in the game.

With less than one minute to go, the Eagles were up by ten points to close out the game.

Ellenwood attempted to maintain his composure at the thought and now the reality of hosting the final four of the GLIAC Tournament.

“It is huge,” said Ellenwood. “To be honest with you, this is beyond anything I excepted this year.”

The Eagles can now look to host the Ferris State Bulldogs in the semifinals of the GLIAC tournament on March 5.