WILMORE, Ky.--- Dakota Walden and Nick Fort each scored a game-high 24 points to lead Asbury's (18-6) electric offense past Kentucky Christian (5-24) to start their postseason run on Friday night in the Luce Center, 108-74

Asbury moves on to meet Alice Lloyd on Saturday afternoon in the Luce once again at 4 pm for the NCCAA Mideast Region title and a bid to the NCCAA National Tournament. 

Walden was extremely efficient, going 6-8 from the field. Dakota lit up the arc making four of his five attempts from three. Walden also went 8-8 from the charity stripe. 

Fort made 10 of his 15 attempts, grabbing six boards and dishing four assists. Nick went off in the first half to set the tone for the night with 18 points on 8-11 shooting and two made threes. 

John Shoulders was also on fire on the night, going 8-12 for 21 points with six assists. 

AU shot over 50 percent from the field and made ten threes to kick off their postseason run with their highest scoring game of the season. The Eagles also went 22-25 from the free-throw line to shoot 88 percent. 

Kentucky Christian was led by David Woodard, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for his double-double. The Knights made 11 threes and shot 42.9 percent from the field. 

Asbury's offense started the night ready to go, scoring 25 points in the first ten minutes of the game. Caleb Wallis capped the opening run with a three from the left wing to put AU up 25-11 with 11:59 to go in the first. 

Kentucky Christian climbed back with solid offense to get within six at 25-31 with seven to go in the half. AU quickly responded, scoring 25 points in the remaining seven minutes to finish the first half with 55 points, holding KCU to 41. 

Asbury continued their offensive dominance in the second half, scoring 34 points in the first ten minutes of the second half. Dakota Walden and John Shoulders took the baton from Fort to lead the way in the second, going for 14 and 10 points. 

AU took the largest lead of the game with 4:03 to go, coming off a Zion Thomas layup taking the lead to 104-66. Asbury finished the night with a 108-74 victory, securing their spot in the title game Saturday afternoon. 

The Eagles move to 18-6 on the season with the win and will meet Alice Lloyd for the third time this season tomorrow at 4 pm in the Luce Center. 


* Dakota Walden | 6-8 FG, 4-5 3PT, 8-8 FT
* Nick Fort | 24 PTS, 10-15 FG, 6 REB, 4 AST
* John Shoulders | 21 PTS, 8-12 FG, 6 AST
* Clayton Winter | 12 PTS, 5-7 FG, 8 REB


"It felt great to go get a good team win against a quality team. It was great to see every player give it their all tonight. We are excited to make a run this postseason  and look forward to a tough matchup tomorrow night!"
Dakota Walden | Senior Guard 


* Asbury's highest scoring game of the year
* Asbury had 15 points off turnovers, 22 bench points, 38 points in the paint, and 15 fast break points
* Dakota Walden, Nick Fort, and John Shoulders combined to go 24-35 from the field 


Asbury meets familiar foe Alice Lloyd for the third time this season on Saturday at 4 pm in the Luce, this time for the NCCA Mideast Championship and a sport in the NCCAA National Tournament.


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