CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University (4-3, 0-0 MCC) women's basketball team saw its three-game win streak come to an end at the hands of Cardinal Stritch University (7-1, 0-0 CCAC) on Tuesday night, falling 77-45, in Kehl Arena.
AU was riding momentum from a tournament win at the Silver Lake College-hosted Lakeshore Tip-Off last weekend preceded by a home triumph against Judson.
The Wolves of CSU won its sixth game in seven attempts and their lone loss was just by one point at Bethel College (Ind.).
Turnovers and shooting percentage hindered the Saints' progress and contributed to their struggles. AU shot just under 30 percent from the field, including a 22 percent clip in the second half.
Cardinal Stritch forward Michelle Stelloh had a game-high 20 points, hitting four three-pointers and a number of jumpers near the top of the key.
Senior guard Kelly Fisher of Fremont, Calif., coming off MVP honors at the Lakeshore Tip-Off, was the lone Saint in double figures, recording 16 points.
Senior forward Bethany Mahmens of Goose Lake moved closer to the 1,000 career-point mark, posting eight points and hauling down a team-high eight rebounds. Mahmens is currently sitting at 977 career points, just 23 of hitting the prestigious mark.
The Wolves broke a 5-5 tie in the first half with a 15-0 run on three layups and a trio of three-point field goals. AU countered back with a 7-0 run of its own, but CSU would eventually lead by as many as 23 points and head into the half with a 21-point cushion.
Both teams
would exchange buckets early in the second half, but the Wolves would push
their lead up to as many as 32 and benches were emptied with time to spare.
Also in double figures for CSU were guard Angela Gray (14) and guard Brittney Daum (11). Cardinal Stritch coughed the ball up 14 times, 10 fewer than AU's 24 giveaways.
AU will have Thanksgiving Day to rest before hosting back-to-back games against Indiana University-Northwest on Friday at 6 p.m. and a 1 p.m. showdown against Rochester College (Minn.) on Saturday.
