Eagles Collect First Men's Basketball Victory of Year, 118-94
November 23, 2003

By Joe Monaco, AU Sports Information

Complete Box Score

The Ashland University men’s basketball team collected its first victory of the season as the Eagles cruised to a 118-94 victory over Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras at the Hillmyer-Tremont Tip-Off Classic at Florida Gulf Coast University on Saturday (Nov. 22).

Freshman guard Alex Jones (Englewood, OH/Northmont) led the scoring barrage with a team-high 20 points while dishing out nine assists. The Englewood native was 3-6 from three-point range and 5-6 from the foul line.

Junior Michael Fowler’s (Aurora, IL/Lincoln Junior College) jumper shot at 19:50 put AU up 2-0, which was as close as the score would be as the Eagles never trailed in the contest. Fowler finished the game with 13 points. In the first half, Ashland led by as many as 36 points when Jones nailed his first three pointer at 1:41. Ashland went into halftime leading 60-29, shooting 63 percent (22-35) from the floor.

In the second half, Ashland remained on cruise control keeping the lead safely by their side. Matt Engler (Port Clinton, OH) hit two free throws with 3:02 remaining in the game to put the Eagles back up by 36 points at 109-73.

Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras made a late surge, outscoring the Eagles 19-9 in the game’s final three minutes. Israel Pizarro led PRRP with 29 points, including hitting five three-pointers in the contest. He was also 10-11 from the line.

Freshman Greg Emmons (Ashland, OH) finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds and was voted to the all-tournament team. Sophomore Justin Brown (Columbus, OH/West Liberty State) scored 15 points and led the squad with eight rebounds. Brown was a perfect 9-9 from the floor in the tournament, including a 5-5 performance against PRRP. Freshmen Chris Newell (Oak Park/IL/River Forest) and Vahn Knight (Euclid, OH/St. Benedictine) each added 18 points and 10 points respectively.

After losing its first two games by a combined three points, Ashland was able to up its record to 1-2 on the season. PRRP fell to 0-2.

The Eagles will face Wilberforce on Tuesday (Nov. 25) at Kates Gymnasium with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.