CLINTON – Ashford University shot over 50% and Iowa Wesleyan College played from behind all night in a 93-75 loss to the Saints in Midwest Collegiate Conference play Tuesday night.
Daniel Joiner led four Saints in double figures with 24 points and the Tigers lost in their first game after a 10-day layoff. IWC dropped to 6-8 overall, 1-2 in conference, while Ashford is now 11-6 overall, 2-1 in the MCC.
The Tigers shot 40% from the field and never led as the Saints were hot from the field all night. Ashford made 35 of 68 field goals (51.5%) and shot at least 50% in both halves while also making 10 of 25 three-point tries.
Joiner scored 16 points in the first half alone as Ashford took a 48-34 halftime lead. The Saints shot 52.6% in the first half (20 of 38) and led by as many as 17 points early on.
IWC was unable to make a serious dent in the lead in the second half, only getting as close as 12 points on one occasion, when Mike Lowe (Sr.-Panora, Iowa) hit two free throws to make it 54-42 with 15:44 remaining in the game. The Saints’ lead hovered between 14 and 18 points most of the half, growing as large as 21 twice in the final minutes.
Reggie Shipp (Jr.-Aurora, Ill.) led Wesleyan with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, pacing the Tigers in all three categories. Lowe and Brett Azinger (Fr.-Montrose, Iowa) both added 15 points apiece as well, with Lowe scoring his points off the bench and Azinger adding seven rebounds as well.
IWC shot 28 of 70 for the game, making 14 of 35 shots in both halves. The Tigers also were out-rebounded 41-33.
Wesleyan now will have a two-week break before its next game when it takes on St. Ambrose University on Wed., Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Ruble Arena.
For more information regarding the IWC basketball programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
