No. 2 Ashland 95, Parkside 72
Parkside women's basketball's GLIAC Tournament run came to an end Saturday afternoon against the top-seeded Ashland Eagles. The Eagles led 45-37 at the half, and used a 50-35 second half to put the game out of reach. Junior Alisha Murphy led the Rangers with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-for-8 shooting from three.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The top-seeded hosts jumped out in front early and led at the end of the first quarter 24-13, thanks to 8-of-15 (53.3-percent) shooting, while holding the Rangers to just 5-for-15 (33.3-percent) shooting in the frame. The Green & White responded with a 16-8 run in the first five minutes of the second quarter, thanks in large part to eight second quarter points from sophomore Alyssa Nelson. Ashland closed out the half outscoring Parkside 13-8, and took a 45-37 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Eagles were able to double their eight-point lead in the third quarter after a made three from Hallie Heidemann as time expired. The fourth quarter was much of the same, as Ashland added seven more points between them and the Rangers.
 
HEAR FROM COACH CONELY
 
STATWORTHY
After Murphy's 19, Parkside was led by Nelson, who scored 18 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out three assists. Other Rangers to hit double figures were seniors Taylor Stephen and Carolina Rahkonen. Stephen had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists; Rahkonen had 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. Ashland was led by Renee Stimpert, who poured in 24 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds.
 
The Green & White were out shot on the day, going 27-for-67 (40.3-percent) from the floor while Ashland shot (53.2-percent). From three, Parkside shot 12-for-34 (35.3-percent), to the Eagles 6-for-12 (50.0-percent). The Rangers also lost the rebounding (-12), points in the paint (-26) and bench point (-11) battles.
 
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Saturday's contest, barring an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, will be the last time a few Rangers suit up in the Green & White. Taylor Stephen and Carolina Rahkonen are the lone seniors on the 2019-20 team, and they were both named Second Team All-GLIAC on Friday, March 6.

Carolina Rahkonen | All-GLIAC Second Team
Coming off a first team selection in her junior season, Rahkonen had another strong year for Parkside in her senior season. She started in all 29 games for the Rangers, and posted solid numbers across the board. She averaged 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in only 23.9 minutes per game. Rahkonen also leads the GLIAC in free throw percentage, with 90.0-percent. Her season-high came against Davenport (1/30/20), when she registered a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Those 24 points also pushed her past the 1,000-career point mark, and made her only the 16th player in program history to achieve the feat.
 
"Carolina followed up last year's All-GLIAC First Team performance with another great season," Conely said. "We graduated so many scorer's last year; I know teams keyed in on her and it was great to see her continue to perform at such a high level. She's one of the most versatile players in the league that can play and defend every position."
 
Taylor Stephen | All-GLIAC Second Team | All-Defensive Team
The only other senior on the team, Stephen finished her career strong and garnered both a second team nomination, and her second-straight All-Defensive Team nomination. Stephen started all 29 games for the Rangers, and led the line for the Parkside defense. On the year, she averaged 13.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Her 5.1 assists are good for second in the GLIAC, and her three-point percentage (43.4-percent) is tied for first on the team and fifth in the GLIAC. Stephen's career-high came in a triple-double against Michigan Tech (2/8/20) where she put up 24 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists on 10-of-12 shooting (83.3-percent) from the field.
 
"Taylor has had a tremendous senior season," Conely continued. "Her work ethic was absolutely unreal. To see her elevate her game the way that she has, it's been a lot of fun to watch. She is the engine that makes our team go and is one of the best all-around players in the league. Back-to-back All-Defensive honors in addition to what she does offensively for us, she's definitely a special player."