PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (Women's Basketball) – The No. 10 Shawnee State women remained unbeaten at home this year with an 86-72 victory on Saturday afternoon over the Eagles of Asbury University at Frank & Janis Waller Gymnasium.
Exactly one month ago tonight, Ashton Lovely (FR/Jamestown, Ohio) set her career high scoring mark at 28 against these very same Asbury Eagles. She nearly matched that performance tonight, as she finished with a second career-best 24 points along with six rebounds.
The Bears had strong contributions from Ali Zieverink (SR/West Chester, Ohio), Madison Ridout (SO/Jackson, Ohio) and Jen Arnzen (JR/Portsmouth, Ohio), as well, who all finished in double figures. Ridout completed a double-double on the only night she left her headband at home with 14 points and 10 assists. Arnzen countered with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks. Zieverink accomplished her eighth-straight 20-plus point performance as she finished with 28 points and seven boards.
After Shawnee State gave up the game's opening basket, it became apparent that Lovely stepped on the court ready to play. Following a 2-0 deficit, she scored ten-straight points for the Bears on 3-for-3 shooting, including two free throws and a pair of triples to give the home squad an early 10-2 advantage.
A quick bucket in the paint from Arnzen made an early timeout from Asbury coach Jason Price necessary to end the run at 12. The Bears added ten more points, including six from Zieverink, to close out the first quarter with a 22-13 advantage.
Despite outrebounding Asbury 13-4 in the second frame, the Bears felt the offensive pressure from the visitors, as the Eagles improved their dismal 37.5 percent shooting in the first quarter to 50 percent in the second, providing for evenly matched, fast-paced play throughout the second period.
Lovely simmered down, contributing only one additional triple to her first quarter effort on 1-for-4 shooting, bringing her game total to 13 in the first half alone. However, just as one player cools off, the Bears heat up another.
Zieverink tallied 10 points in the period off three assists by teammate Abby Feuchter (SR/Cincinnati, Ohio), giving her 14 for the game to go along with six first-half rebounds. The Bears headed into the locker room with an eight point lead at 40-32.
The third quarter was entirely offensive runs, first by the Eagles and then the Bears. The Eagles stormed back early in the third period to tie the game at 40 following an 8-0 run that included five points from senior guard Catie Fletcher.
All the Bears needed was a little pressure to get going however, as they went on a 25-10 run of their own behind seven points from Madison Ridout and eight more from Zeiverink to close out the period with a 65-50 lead.
The final quarter included another outburst from Lovely as she dropped 10 points in the period, including two more triples, to give her five on the night.
The Eagles energy drained towards the final minutes of the game, following one final three-pointer with three minutes remaining, as the tenth-ranked Bears proved to be too much for their opponents once again. Shawnee State marched to the finish line, scoring a couple late baskets to bring the score to an 86-72 victory.
Shawnee State returns to action in the Auburn University-Montgomery Classic next weekend to take on the ladies of Faulkner University at 4 p.m. on Friday in Montgomery, Ala.
