The Ashland University women’s basketball team is dancing on to the Midwest Regional Final game after a 68-45 win over the No. 2 seeded Northern Michigan Wildcats. 

At the start of the game, it was the Wildcats getting out to a quick 3-2 lead in the opening minutes, but the Eagles would never let the Wildcats lead again. The Eagles went on a 9-0 run after that quick moment trailing and never looked back.  

“I’m really proud of our team’s effort, I thought defensively we were lights out from start to finish.  

Then offensively I was really proud of our girls continuing to stay shot ready, and a variety of people stepping up today,” Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kari Pickens said.  

At the end of the first quarter the Eagles were ahead 17-10, and for the first time in several games senior forward Hayley Smith avoided early foul trouble.  

“The last couple of games that has been an issue but watching some film I had learned and tried to grow from it,” said Smith. 

In the second frame, Ashland added to their lead with a 29-17 advantage. The Wildcats shot only 26.9% in the first half. 

Senior forward Zoe Miller led the way with 12 points at the break for the Eagles but was rarely heard from in the second half. The good news for the purple and gold was that she wasn’t needed in the second half due to step up performances by a number of other players.  

 One of the players being sophomore guard Lexi Howe, ending the third quarter with a double figure in the scoring column. Howe has been progressing this postseason after playing the regular season through multiple injuries. 

 “When I got back in, I let them [teammates] motivate me on my defensive end, and then that turns into offense,” said Howe. 

 AU’s lead was up to 15 at the end of the third quarter.  

 The fourth frame was the most offensively productive for Ashland with 27 points scored as they put the finishing touches on the game. The Eagles wrapped up the near wire to wire win shooting 45% from the field, and a scorching 38% from downtown.  

 The Eagles will have a day off before the Midwest Regional final on Monday night.  

 “It’s a lot, three games in four days but that is tournament time, and we are ready for it,” said Pickens. 

 Ashland will face-off against the No.1 Grand Valley State Lakers . Tip off from GVSU field house is set for 7 p.m. on March 17.