Saginaw Valley State (8-8, 4-6 GLIAC) snapped the Ashland Eagles’ three-game winning streak last Thursday, then Lake Superior (12-5, 6-4 GLIAC) sent AU into a two-game slide Saturday. The Cardinals defeated AU 77-63 before the Lakers dismissed the Eagles 80-64.

Saginaw Valley State

AU didn’t get off to a good start in O’Neill Arena, shooting only 33.3 percent (10-30) in the first half from the floor and 0-for-5 from three point. The Eagles fell behind by as many as 17 points as the Cardinals enjoyed the home court advantage. Saginaw Valley’s Keithan Jackson came off the bench to grab six rebounds and scored eight points in the first half. Ashland went into halftime trailing by 11.

The second half was a change of pace for both teams. Senior Justin Garris brought the Eagles to within one when he converted on a layup, bringing the score to 43-42 at the 12:42 mark. With 11:00 left to play, Senior Ryan Janer converted on a huge three-point shot tying the game at 47-47.

It looked like the Eagles were going to complete the comeback but Saginaw Valley went on a 8-0 run with nine minutes left to play. From there, David Harris, Will Evans and Kale Richardson all hit threes but came up short as the Cardinals kept their foot on the gas winning by 14.

Evan Yates led the Eagles with 15 points along with four rebounds, three of which were offensive. Richardson grabbed seven rebounds, four coming off the offensive glass and finished with 14 points. Harris was the only other AU player to score double digits with 11 and also earned four steals.

Ashland shot only 37.9 percent from the floor, the lowest shooting percentage since Dec. 19 against Hillsdale. SVSU struggled from the field as well, shooting 43.6 percent for the game. This marked the sixth straight game the Eagles held their opponent to less than 45 percent shooting from the field.

Lake Superior State

Ashland (8-8, 2-7 GLIAC) finished their GLIAC North trip by braving negative temperatures in the Upper Peninsula just to lose 80-64 to the Lakers.

Evan Yates did his part by scoring a game-high 22 points and pulling down nine boards. Yates also went to the free-throw line 13 times, making eight of them. It was the sixth straight game Yates scored in double figures and the third time in four games he has scored 20-plus points.

Jordan Berlin played the entire first half scoring eight points and dishing out three assists for Ashland. The game went back and forth until about the eight minute mark. Lake Superior closed the first half strong taking a 41-27 lead into the locker room.

The Lakers shot 43.3 percent from the field in the opening half and went 13-for-16 from the free-throw line. Ashland gave up 13 points off turnovers in the first half and another 15 in the second half while only scoring three points off turnovers all game.

LSSU turned their attention inside during the second half scoring 34 of their 41 points in the paint. For the game, the Lakers outscored Ashland 50-26 in the paint.

Four players for Lake Superior State scored double-digits. Justin Williams had 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting while Derek Kinney had a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

For AU, Berlin had 14 points, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes of work. Richardson only played 17 minutes and scored eight points, the same amount as junior Cole Moore.

Lake Superior State’s bench also outscored Ashland’s, 24-17 in the contest.

The Eagles return home Thursday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. against No. 25 Wayne State, which swept its weekend with wins over Tiffin and Ohio Dominican. Saturday, Jan. 29, at 1 p.m. No. 6 Findlay will travel to Kates Gymnasium. Ohio Dominican will conclude the three-game home stand Thursday, Feb. 3 with a 5:30 scheduled tip.