TOPEKA, Ks. — Missouri Western Women's Basketball took down the Washburn Ichabods on Saturday, winning by a score of 57-44 at Lee Arena thanks to a strong night from Connie Clarke. 

The Griffons (8-4, 3-2 MIAA) were led by leading scorer Brionna Budgetts with14 points. Clarke scored 11 and ripped down 18 rebounds, good for second place all-time in the Griffon record books for rebounds in a game. Abby Bala added a season-high 12 points off the bench for the Griffons. 

Missouri Western started the game off strong, jumping out to an 8-2 lead before Washburn (4-5, 1-3 MIAA) brought the score to 8-6. This was the closest the Ichabods made it, as MWSU pulled away quickly, leading at the end of the first quarter, 17-9. 

Quarter number two was more of the same. The Griffs had one of the best stretches of the season, as they went on a 17-0 run between the 2:54 mark of the first quarter and the 3:44 mark of the second quarter. The half ended with the Griffons on top, 35-18. 

The third quarter saw MWSU maintain and even slightly grow their lead. Neither team scored often, a nod to the defensive prowess of both squads. The quarter ended with Missouri Western leading, 47-26.

Washburn made things interesting in the fourth quarter, cutting the Griffon lead down to just eight with 1:19 left. Missouri Western would pull away and eventually win by the final score of 57-44. 

NOTABLES

• Clarke's 18 rebounds is a new career-high, as she snared her sixth double-double of the season. 
• Bala's 12 points was one shy of tying a career high of 13 set against Emporia last year. 
• Budgetts has now scored in double digits in every game but two this season. 

UP NEXT
The Griffons head to Emporia State to take on the Hornets (7-3-0 MIAA). Tipoff is at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at White Auditorium.