ASHLAND, Ohio – Four-time defending G-MAC champion Ashland foiled the Lady Jackets' upset bid for a 54-52 win at Kates Gymnasium.
Cedarville trailed 50-36 early in the fourth quarter before erupting on a 16-2 run to get the game level.
Ella Sellars' layup tied it, 52-52, with 50 seconds left.
The Eagles regained the lead on two free throws with 13 seconds remaining and the visitors missed a potential game-tying field goal in the waning moments.
Sellars finished with a game-high 20 points for the Jackets, 3-4 overall.
Cait Behling had nine points and eight rebounds.
Quotable: Head Coach Addy Miller
"Despite all the adversity we've faced over the past two weeks, we kept pushing this group. Injuries can either propel teams or destroy them - and tonight, this team proved its resilience. Nobody likes to lose, but we took clear steps forward, and I fully expect this group to continue building from here."
Five Facts:
- The Jackets won the rebounding battle, 44-35, and points in the paint, 38-16.
- Neither team attempted a free throw in the first half.
- Behling and Harmony Laker set carer-highs with eight rebounds each.
- Cedarville played without starters Jenna Sandel and Brianna Zajicek.
- The rematch is February 12 at the Callan Athletic Center.
