The Ashland University women's basketball team won their second consecutive NCAA Division II regional championship by turning back Wayne State University 72-63, before 2,832 fans at Kates Gymnasium, as this contest proved to be tougher than most thought as the game would not be decided until the final four minutes.  Ashland took a ten point lead into the locker room at the break up 36-26, with the Eagles starting hot from then field with Taylor Woods leading the way hitting her first four three pointers.  But the Warriors kept the game within reach and got within ten before the break when Talisha Bridges hit a long three just before the horn. 

In the second half, the Warriors erased the Eagles ten point lead by going on a 12-2 run which brought the score back to even at 38 all.  The two teams would trade baskets before Wayne State would go up 44-42, then stretched their lead to eight points at 50-42.  That's when AU responded closing the game out with a 16-5 run.  The Eagles tied the game at 58 all on a stick back by Beth Mantkowski with 6:06 remaining in the contest.  Then with 3:50 remaining, Kari Daugherty scored to give AU a 62-61 lead, a lead they would not give up enroute to their nine point win.

Ashland was led in scoring by Kari Daugherty and Taylor Woods who each had 17 points.  Daugherty also pulled down 15 rebounds.  Alyssa Miller had 12, Daiva Gerbec 11, Lindsay Tenyak seven, Ashley Dorner and Mantkowski four.  The Eagles also shot 20-24 from the stripe.

Wayne State was led by Talisha Bridges with 18 points, Juanita Cochran 15, Phaebre Colbert ten, Deanna Crumpton nine and Brittany Streetman eight.  WSU went 6-11 from the line.  With the loss, Wayne State ends their season as D-2 regional runners-up at 22-9.  With the win Ashland improves to an all-time best 34-1 advancing to the national quarter final in SanAntonio, Texas next Tuesday night at 9:30pm against 31-4 Gannon who slipped past California of Pennsylvania 50-47.