Women's Basketball Falls To No. 11 Ashland 83-68

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University women's basketball team dropped an 83-68 contest to No. 11 Ashland Saturday afternoon (January 2).

Ashland remains unbeaten on the season, now standing at 11-0 overall, 5-0 in the GLIAC. Northwood falls to 6-5 overall, 2-3 in the GLIAC.

The opening quarter of the game saw the offenses come out strong. Ashland led by as many as seven points, but the Timberwolves finished the quarter by scoring the final five points to cut the AU lead to 22-20. Northwood shot 50.0 percent from the floor (7-14) while Ashland ended up at 47.4 percent (9-19).

The scoring slowed down in the second quarter, as the two teams combined to score 29 points in the frame. The Timberwolves led by as many as five points (32-27) before settling for a 36-35 lead at the break. NU held the Eagles to 35.7 percent from the floor in the second quarter (5-14). Northwood ended up shooting 46.7 percent in the second (7-15).

NU got careless with the ball in the opening minutes of the third quarter, which allowed Ashland to take the lead for good. Northwood had five turnovers in the opening 4:21 of the third quarter, which allowed Ashland to take a 48-42 lead. AU held an eight point lead five times in the quarter before taking a 59-52 lead to the fourth. Ashland shot 52.9 percent from the floor in the quarter (9-17) and forced seven Northwood turnovers.

Ashland's offense was efficient in the fourth quarter, allowing the Eagles to put the game away. AU went 10-12 from the floor (83.3 percent) and 3-3 from 3-point range (100 percent). The Eagles led by as many as 19 down the stretch to earn the win.

For the game, Ashland finished at 53.2 percent from the floor (33-62) and 50.0 percent from 3-point range (6-12). Northwood finished at 44.8 percent (26-58) from the floor and 37.5 percent from 3-point range (6-16). AU out-rebounded Northwood 39-29 for the game.

Three Timberwolves finished in double figures, led by Jordyn Nurenberg (St. John's, Mich.) with 16 points and 12 rebounds. That is her ninth double-double of the season. Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) had 15 points, while Maddy Seeley (Alma, Mich.) had 12 points.

Northwood will host Lake Erie Sunday afternoon (January 3). Game time is set for 3 p.m.