On Jan. 29 the Ashland University women’s basketball team hosted the Malone Pioneers where they fell just short, losing by three points 68-65. This is the Eagles second loss by single-digits in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. 

The Eagles were led by their two forwards in freshman Jenna Slates and redshirt freshman Kyra Hill. Slates finished with a career-high 17 rebounds to go along with 24 points. Hill posted a new career mark for herself finishing with 18 points on an efficient seven-of-nine shooting. The two forwards combined for 42 of the Eagle’s points and 23 rebounds. 

For the Pioneers they were led by redshirt-sophomore guard Meredith Randulic who finished with 17 points and was one of three Pioneers in double-figures. The other two were senior forward Erin Kaufman and junior forward Elena Oliver as they finished with 15 and 14 points respectively. This also marks the first time the Pioneers have defeated the Eagles inside of Kate’s gymnasium since the 2013-14 season. 

The Pioneers started the game out hot scoring 23 points in the first quarter, before taking a 35-27 lead into the half. In the third, the Eagles responded well, taking a two-point lead into the fourth. In the fourth, the teams battled back and forth with multiple lead changes before a 7-1 run put the pioneers ahead of the Eagles and a last second three from sophomore guard Ashley Mullet missed the mark to hand the pioneers the win. 

The Eagles will look to stop their two-game skid on Jan. 31 when they travel to face the Northwood Timberwolves with tipoff set for 1:00 pm.