Playing one final time before Christmas, Lourdes took to the road and picked up a 62-59 victory over Ashland on Friday evening inside of Kates Gymnasium in Ashland, Ohio.
 
The game against the NCAA Division II foe was played as an exhibition for the Gray Wolves, but a regular season contest for the Eagles.
 
"We played extremely well and with great toughness," head coach Dennis Hopson said following the game.
 
Mike Bruce (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti H.S.) came off the bench to score 23 points for Lourdes, making 8-of-12 shots from the floor, including four three-pointers.  Clif Snow (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown H.S.) added 12 points while Nick Welch (Temperance, Mich./Saint Mary Central Catholic H.S.) posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Julian Egbo (Toledo, Ohio/Rogers H.s.) and Nick did a great job on their bigs," Hopson added.  "Mike Bruce gave us a big spark off the bench."
 
Lourdes led for the first 15 minutes before Ashland went on an 8-0 run to pull in front and the Eagles eventually took a 28-25 lead into the locker room.
 
After the Eagles pushed the lead to nine early in the second half, Lourdes responded with a 9-0 run to tie the contest at 38 with 12 minutes to play.  After the lead went back and forth, a three-pointer by Kenny Coleman (Toledo, Ohio/Saint Francis de Sales H.S.) put the Gray Wolves in front for good, 56-53, with 3:43 to play.  The game stayed a one possession contest the rest of the way, but Lourdes went 6-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the victory and the Eagles' last second shot to tie missed the mark.
 
Drew Noble led Ashland (6-4) with 20 points while Brandon Haraway added 18 points.
 
Lourdes (11-3) will return to regular season action on Saturday, Dec. 20 when the Gray Wolves head to New Philadelphia, Ohio to face Kent State-Tuscarawas.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside of Founders Hall Gymnasium.