Ashland University women’s basketball coach Robyn Fralick was not happy with how her team started their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game versus Walsh (9-5, 6-3 GLIAC) Thursday night at Kates Gymnasium.

Trailing 14-5 with a little under six minutes left in the first quarter, the No. 6 Eagles (15-0, 9-0 GLIAC) turned up their defensive efforts and eventually cruised to a 78-64 victory.

“We weren’t playing tough enough,” Fralick said. “We were getting outrun down the court. We weren’t matching up in transition.”

Ashland outscored Walsh 19-6 in the second quarter, which was due in part to a more consistent defensive presence that developed midway through the quarter.

Settling in on defense was key for the Eagles according to Fralick.

 “Walsh played really hard and well in those first few minutes,” Fralick said. “And got a lot of transition points, points in the paint, and I thought we just settled in. We got back. We got matched up. We got to our spots defensively, and we got the first rebound, which is what we try to do every possession.”

The Eagles held the Cavaliers to 3 of 16 shooting in the second quarter, compared to 10 of 20 in the first quarter.

Following a media timeout, Ashland would end the second quarter on a 13-2 run, taking a 40-26 lead into halftime.

“We made a good run,” Fralick said. “The biggest thing is we settled down and started playing and doing the things we are supposed to do.”

Ashland made 17 of 31 shots in the first half. The Eagles’ hot hand would continue into the third quarter, where they would make 9 of 13 shots, including 4 of 6 from the 3-point line.

The Eagles’ third quarter shooting efforts put them ahead 65-41 heading into the final quarter.

It was not always that easy for the Eagles, however, as they swapped the lead with the Cavaliers five times in the first quarter.

A quick 6-0 run near the end of the first quarter put the Eagles up 17-16, giving them their first lead since being ahead 3-2.

Laina Snyder led the offensive effort in the first quarter, chipping in seven points on 3 of 5 shooting. Snyder finished the game with a team-high 17 points, adding three rebounds and three assists.

Kelsey Peare added 11 points for Ashland, while Alex Henning chipped in 10. Julie Worley added 13 off the bench.

Andi Daugherty contributed six points to the winning effort, while also grabbing eight rebounds.

The win gave Ashland their 20^th consecutive home victory.

Protecting their home floor is important to Fralick and her team.

“We talk about it (Kates Gymnasium) is our sacred space,” Fralick said. “We talk about that a lot. We talk about protecting your space. Protecting your home and knowing that there is a real value in the time we invest here.”

Ashland’s next game is a road contest against Malone Jan. 16.