Mason’s Defense Leads Ashland Past Kentucky Wesleyan, 93-77
November 29, 2003

By Joe Monaco, AU Sports Information

Complete Box Score

Junior Jackie Mason (Olmsted Falls, OH) grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds as Ashland (4-1) downed Kentucky Wesleyan, 93-77, in the first round of the Domino’s Pizza Classic held at Kates Gymnasium on Saturday (Nov. 29).

The AU center punished the Panthers as she notched 13 of her 17 boards on the defensive end. With her in the post, Kentucky Wesleyan only managed 11 second chance points in the contest. Mason also finished with 11 points and four blocks.

At the beginning of the contest, Ashland jumped out to a quick 17-6 when freshman Melissa Howe (Hilliard, OH/Hilliard Davidson) sank a jumper from the baseline at the 14:20 mark. Howe finished the game with nine points. AU only managed to keep the lead at 11 as the Panthers went on a 14-4 run, highlighted by a Whitney Espenlaub three-pointer that tied the score at 23 with 10:12 remaining in the half.

Every time it seemed as though Ashland was about to make a run in the first half, Kentucky Wesleyan seemed to have the answer. The Eagles were able to get the lead back to eight points and seemed to have the momentum until the Panthers caused three consecutive turnovers, which allowed them to cut the lead to 36-34 with 1:31 remaining until the break. At the end of the first 20 minutes, Ashland held a 38-35 lead, despite shooting 39 percent (13-33) compared to the Panthers’ 50 percent (14-28).

Junior forward Alanna Buurma (Willard, OH) went on a hot streak to open the second half and the Eagles never looked back. The Willard native had seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the half’s first five minutes to give the Eagles’ a 52-37 lead. On the day, Buurma finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four blocks. For the remainder of the game, Ashland never allowed their lead to sink below 11 points.

Senior Isolina Brescia (Lima, Peru/Sir Isaac Newton) led the Eagles with 19 points and Dee Bethune (Akron, OH/Hoban) added 10 points.

Wooster native Rozalind Jones led Kentucky Wesleyan with 21 points and nine rebounds. Courtney Roach and Holly Mills scored 19 points and 12 points respectively.

Ashland will be back in action on Sunday (Nov. 30) for its second game of the Domino’s Pizza Classic. The Eagles will tip-off with Slippery Rock, who fell to Ferris State, 78-73, in the first game. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. Ferris State and Kentucky Wesleyan will play at 1 p.m.