Ashford Falls to John Carroll in JustAGame Finale | Schools
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CLINTON, Iowa--The Ashford University women's basketball team took to the hardwood for the second time in 20 hours on Friday afternoon when it closed out the 2012 JustAGame Winter Shootout.
Looking to avenge Thursday's loss at the hands of Dakota Wesleyan University, the Saints brought the battle to the Blue Streaks of John Carroll University. But in the end, a 10-0 late-game run by the Streaks ultimately decided AU's fate as the team fell, 63-52.
Belleville, Wis.-native Quinn Rear paced Ashford with 13 points, thanks in part to a three-of-six shooting effort from beyond the three-point arc. Senior center Gaby Ayon added 11 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to record her second double-double in as many weeks.
Offensive struggles got the better of AU for the second consecutive outing as the team shot just 17-of-47 (36.2%) from the field and turned the ball over on 28 occasions. The Saints did win the battle of the glass, 38-21, which included a 10-4 clip in offensive rebounds.
Ashford fell behind by as many as seven on two occasions during the first half but made a run just before the break.
Freshman forward Elizabeth Nardi broke a 23-23 tie at the 4:39 mark of the half by sinking the first of two free throws to give AU its first lead of the matchup. From there, JCU pulled back in front until the final minute when Rear and Lancaster, Wis.-native Madison Wagner netted back-to-back three-point shots to send the Saints into the break carrying a 35-32 lead.
Ayon had eight points at the break and 11 first-half rebounds, aiding AU's 22-9 domination on the glass during the first frame. Rear and freshman guard Clare Gloede each tallied seven points.
Following the break, the Saints kept their stranglehold on the lead until John Carroll blasted out on a 17-3 run which lasted over ten minutes of the second half to regain a 50-44 lead with less than six minutes to play.
A Rear three-pointer with 2:07 to play cut the Blue Streaks' lead to just one, 53-52. However, John Carroll scored the final ten points of the game to win by a final of 63-52.
With the loss, Ashford falls to 7-8 overall this season while John Carroll improves to 8-3.
The Saints return to action Thursday, Dec. 27, when they visit Chicago for the St. Xavier University Christmas Tournament. AU opens the three-day event by lining up against the hosts, and #12-ranked, Cougars of St. Xavier.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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