NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The Walsh Cavaliers men's basketball team ended 2021 with a third straight win on Friday (Dec. 31) as they defeated the Ashland Eagles 67-63 at Alumni Arena. 

Ashland started the game with a 6-0 lead in the first 2:30 before Walsh responded with an 18-0 run over the next eight minutes. Caleb Canter tallied ten points and Garrison Keeslar added six points on the run as Walsh led 18-6 with 9:41 left in the first half. After a pair of 15 point leads, Ashland went on a 14-2 run over four minutes as Walsh's lead was 34-31 at halftime. Ashland gained a quick second half lead before Quentin Toles regained the 47-46 lead back with 9:34 left. After seven straight Keeslar points made it 54-48 Walsh, Ashland answered back with an 11-2 run as the Eagles took the 59-56 lead with 4:34 to go. Tim Smith Jr's basket with 1:59 left, part of a 6-0 Walsh run, gave the Cavaliers a lead they wouldn't lose. Darryl Straughter sealed the win with free throws in the final five seconds as Walsh won 67-63. 

• SCORE: Walsh 67, Ashland 63
• LOCATION: North Canton, Ohio (Alumni Arena)
• RECORDS: Walsh (8-3, 4-1 G-MAC), Ashland (6-5, 3-2 G-MAC)

FOR THE CAVALIERS:

• Garrison Keeslar led the Cavaliers with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He made six-of-ten field goals and nine-of-ten free throws. 
• Caleb Canter added 19 points and seven boards with nine-of-11 field goals. 
• Tim Smith Jr. gave 11 points in his starting effort. 
• Walsh held a slight shooting advantage as they shot 25-of-53 overall, tallying 47.2%. The Cavaliers only made five three pointers out of 27 attempts and was 12-of-14 from the free throw line. 

FOR THE EAGLES:

• Aaron Thompson was the Ashland leading scorer with 23 points and six rebounds, including three treys.  
• Bo Furcron had 11 points and four assists. 
• Ashland shot 47.1% from the floor, tallying 24-of-51 shots on Friday afternoon. 

Walsh heads north to take on #20 Hillsdale on Thursday (Jan. 6) for a Great Midwest matchup with the Chargers at 7:30 PM. 

-WC-