RIO GRANDE, Ohio – The Asbury University women's basketball team defeated Rio Grande on the road 104-87 on Thursday evening to kick off the Bevo Francis Classic.

The Eagles outscored Rio Grande 58-44 in the second half to pull away from the Red Storm and collect their second win on the year.

AU is now 2-2 on the year with the victory this evening.

Five Eagles finished in double figures scoring to lead Asbury to a season-high 104 points.

Highlights
*After a slow start in the opening quarter, the Eagles erased a six-point deficit and took a one-point lead at 23-22 heading into the second quarter following a basket by Jaclynn Ruble in the final seconds of the period.
*The Eagles led by as many as seven points in the second frame but took a 46-43 lead going into halftime.
*Down 51-49 early in the third, AU went on a 17-2 run to take a comfortable 66-53 lead late in the quarter.
*URG cut the lead down to just five at 78-73 in the final quarter, but another 12-4 from the Eagles pushed the lead back out to 90-77.
*Faith Osborne scored 10 points in the quarter as the Eagles shot 63 percent from the field in the fourth.

Key Stats
*Zaria Napier led Asbury with a team-high 22 points. The sophomore finished 6-16 from the floor with seven rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals.
*Autumn Herriford posted 14 points with five rebounds and three assists and steals.
*Paige Taylor scored a season-high 13 points off the bench on 6-9 shooting from the field.
*Jaclynn Ruble collected 12 points and five steals, while Faith Osborne added 10 points and five steals additionally.
*Asbury shot 42 percent from the floor and made 11 threes in the win. The Eagles' defense also forced 27 turnovers which led to 30 points scored off turnovers throughout the game.

Next Up
Asbury will take on Great Lakes Christian at 6 PM tomorrow night in their final game of the Bevo Francis Classic.