WINONA LAKE, In.--- On day two of the NCCAA National Tournament, the Asbury women's basketball team (No. 7) took on Houghton University (No. 6) for the right to move on in the consolation bracket. AU's offense brought the heat to the Highlanders on Thursday's competition and found a strong win, 62-34.
Jaclynn Ruble continued to lead the Eagles through the tournament, grabbing 14 points, three assists, and three steals. Ruble grabbed three three-pointers and went an impressive 60% from the line.
Tiffani Riley had another impressive day for AU being a force under the rim. Riley collected her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Riley was also able to snag three steals against the Highlanders.
Trinity Shearer was a massive help to AU's powerful offense, leading the team with six assists. Shearer grabbed an easy nine points on the day as well.
Asbury went on a huge 10-2 run to start the game and took an early lead over the Highlanders.
Trinity Shearer led AU in the first by grabbing eight points to help Asbury outscore HU 16-8, and ended the first up.
Haley Southerland saw good minutes against the Highlanders in the second and helped Asbury continue to outscore them. Asbury's offense was able to almost match their efforts in the first and grabbed 15 points compared to Houghton's 11. The second ended with AU still up 31-19.
Jaclynn Ruble and Tiffany Riley were AU's lone scorer's in the third with Ruble grabbing eight and Riley with six. Despite AU only having two scorers in the third, their defense remained strong. AU held Houghton to 10 points for the third and held their lead at the end of the third, 45-29.
The Highlanders were led by No. 20 Kayla Camacho with 14 points and four rebounds.
Asbury's defense was almost perfect in the fourth and held the Highlanders to their lowest-scoring quarter of the game, only allowing five points from their opponents. Asbury went on to their highest-scoring quarter of the game, with 17 points recorded by the Eagles.
The game ended in a strong win for the Eagles, 62-34. After Thursday's win, the Eagles move to an 18-11 record.
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Jaclynn Ruble | 14 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
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Tiffani Riley | 10 PTS, 10 REB (Second Double-Double of the season), 3 STL
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Haley Southerland | 8 PTS, 1 STL
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Haleigh Releford | 6 PTS, 8 REB, 3 STL
* AU's defense forced 18 turnovers from their opponents.
* AU shot 70% from the line.
"This is probably my favorite win of the year. We've had some great performances and wins this year, but after the disappointment of yesterday's loss, especially knowing we played well for three quarters and then basically lost the game in one 10-minute stretch, this was our best so far. We lost that big league yesterday and the girls were determined it was not going to happen again today.
I told them before the game, we have two games left this season to continue to improve and get ready for next year. They executed perfectly and we made great strides today."
Chad Mayes | Head Coach
Their win over Houghton University advances Asbury into the next round of the consolation bracket. AU will be competing with a long-time foe, Kentucky Christian, on Friday March 17th at 5 PM for 5th place in the tournament overall.
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