CLINTON, Iowa - Senior forward Shel'si Weaver of Beloit, Wis., sparked the Ashford University (2-2, 0-0 MCC) women's basketball team with a season-high 16 points in a reserve role to lead a non-conference rout over Judson University on Wednesday, 57-37.
Weaver led three Saints in double figures, joined by senior guard Kelly Fisher of Fremont Calif., and junior guard Kayla Crist of Stanwood, with 10 points apiece.
"There were times in this game where both teams really struggled shooting the ball," AU Head Coach Chris Powers said. "I'm proud of the effort our girls showed on the glass and in the hustle department. It's a nice way to bounce back from a last-second loss against Calumet College of St. Joseph in our last game."
The Saints scored the game's first nine points as the Eagles missed their first 13 shots from the floor. Judson's shooting struggles carried over for the remainder of the first half as it struggled to 18.2 percent shooting (6-for-33).
JU's first bucket didn't come until the 12:29 mark - or over seven and a half minutes in - on a trey by Alicia Rovertini.
Judson fired back with an 11-0 run to briefly take the lead, but Ashford worked patiently for an eight-point lead at the half on a buzzer-beater bank shot by senior Kim Fabry of Oconto Falls, Wis.
Weaver, coming off a 12-point effort against Calumet College of St. Joseph, was effective inside the paint with a few reverse layups and stepped out to hit a three-point field goal.
Her jumper at the 13-minute mark opened the Saints' advantage to 15 points and would continue to swell the rest of the way.
AU led by as many as 21 following a transition layup after a steal by Fabry.
Crist made both of her three-point field goal attempts and had a team-high seven rebounds along with Fabry.
Rovertini led Judson with 12 points and hauled in six rebounds.
Next up for Ashford is the Silver Lake College-hosted Lakeshore Tip-Off Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Saints are slated to meet Bethany Lutheran College on Friday at 6 p.m.
Saturday's game against an unknown opponent is then dependent on the outcome of Friday.
