The Eagles have always had a long-standing rivalry with the Findlay Oilers. The women’s team has alternated wins and losses each of their last seven appearances at Croy Stadium.

“Findlay is always a tough place to play,” said head women’s basketball coach Robyn Fralick. “They are a really good team and they played really well especially in the first quarter.”

Maintaining their undefeated record, the women defeated the Oilers last night 78-69 even after their slow start and a 13-point deficient during the second quarter. This win improves their overall record to 17-0 and 11-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Eagles fell behind 35-22 in the second quarter before rallying off nine consecutive points. By halftime, the Eagles were able to catch up and only be short by four points, 37-33.

“We definitely let them score too many points,” said Fralick. “But I was proud of the kids. We were down by 13 mid way in that first half, but we fought and pulled it in by four at halftime. We haven’t been in a situation necessarily like that this season, so it was good to see them fight.”

Junior guard Alex Henning scored her career high of 24 points, doubling her career high for the Eagles.

Sophomore Andi Daugherty gave the Eagles 21 points of her own along with five assists, two blocks and five steals.

“We are getting people’s very good games,” said Fralick. “That has been clear. But that is what you want. You want people’s best games and best versions of themselves. That is what you play for. You don’t play to get people’s watered-down version. We know we get that and we will continue to get that, but that is why we play college basketball.”

The women hope to continue their success as they face Wayne State in their next GLIAC matchup.

The No. 23-ranked men’s team did not have as much success last night, as they fell to the Oilers 71-63.

Ashland has lost 16 consecutive games at Findlay and has failed to win in the Oiler’s newly renovated gym since 2002.

Junior guard Adrian Cook led the Eagles with his career high of 19 points along with eight rebounds and four assists while junior Wendell Davis followed closely behind giving the Eagles 14 points of his own.

Despite the efforts from the Eagles and the back-and-forth flow of the game, the Oilers remained ahead getting a 7-2 run with seven minutes left in the game and never looked back.

The men and women will finish their three-game GLIAC road trip on Saturday at Wayne State. Tip off for the women’s game will be at 1 p.m. and the men will begin at 3 p.m.