Ashland University men's basketball ready for Great Midwest Athletic Conference play
Ashland University’s men’s basketball team, after finishing the pre-conference schedule at 3-2, will play in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference for the first time this week.
The Eagles will go south to take on Ohio Dominican in Columbus at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 , and then will play Cedarville in Cedarville at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 4.
In the last 12 meetings, Ashland has defeated Ohio Dominican 11 times. Of those 11 victories, four have been by six points or less.
The Panthers are the No. 8 scoring team in the conference at 73.5 point per game, and the No. 9 team in the league on defense at 80.5. ODU has six players averaging at least 8.0 points, led by junior guard Alek West (15.6).
There isn’t as extensive of a recent history between the Eagles and Cedarville, as the last meeting came on Nov. 15, 2014 (a 75-60 AU win on the road).
The Yellow Jackets are the No. 3 scoring offense in the Great Midwest at 80.4 points per game, but last in the 11-team league coming into the week on defense, allowing 81.4. Cedarville boasts two proficient scorers in senior guards Quinton Green (20.0 points, 50% from 3-point range) and Branden Maughmer (17.8 points, 85% at the free-throw line).
Ellenwood reflects on Florida trip
Ashland coach John Ellenwood called it a business trip to Florida last week, and his Eagles came back from that business trip with a 1-1 mark.
“I think we played two really good teams,” Ellenwood said. “It was a lot of fun for our guys to do some team-building and get in some warmer weather. We had great fan support down there. We got to spend it as a team, so it was a nice trip.
“Tampa, we had to learn to get tougher. We fought hard in that game. They’re a good basketball team. We learned from that. Going into the next game, we played a little more inspired basketball.”
Baumgardner, Bainbridge get the call
Both sophomore guard Tre Baumgardner and junior forward Evan Bainbridge started their first games as Eagles in Saturday night’s win over Eckerd, and going into league play both have been key contributors so far this fall.
Bainbridge is the team’s No. 4 scorer with a 9.6 average, and has the top 3-point percentage among qualifiers at 38.9, while Baumgardner is right behind him at 8.8 points per game.
“One, they earned it,” said Ellenwood. “We needed a little more size in our lineup. Tre, he’s as tough as they come. We got out to a pretty good lead, and both those guys were a reason for that.”
Koch closes in on return
Fifth-year senior forward Derek Koch has played just the opening game of the season because of injury, but Ellenwood said he is getting closer to returning.
“Derek brings so much to our team,” said Ellenwood. “He is a great defender. In our half-court, he was the guy who kind of commanded the offense. “When you lose a player like Derek for a little bit, somebody has to step in, and that’s how you really create depth. That turns into a deeper bench by the time he does come back.”
Thompson keeps racking up the stats
Fifth-year senior forward Aaron Thompson is close to another program record. With 118 career games played, he is one game away from tying Phil Frentsos for the Eagles’ all-time record. Thompson already has the program standard for most games started, having started all 118 games he’s played at AU.
In addition to career games played, Thompson has gone past the 1,200-point mark in his career, and most likely is one game away from 900 career rebounds.
“He’s a tremendous, tremendous player,” said Ellenwood. “I’m very blessed to coach Aaron every single time he steps on the floor.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland U men's basketball to open G-MAC play at Ohio Dominican
