TOPEKA, Kan. - Missouri Western women's basketball (9-4, 4-1 MIAA) has its seven-game winning streak snapped and dropped its first MIAA contest of the season with an 88-73 loss to Washburn (8-7, 2-3 MIAA) on Wednesday night.
Both teams got off to a quick start from Lee Arena, combining for nine three-pointers in the opening 10 minutes. The Ichabods finished the quarter with a 28-22 lead, aided by a 5-0 run that allowed them to take the lead that held until the whistle.
At 6:10 in the second quarter, junior
Laura Toffali connected with a three-pointer to reduce the deficit to just three points at 35-32. However, the momentum shifted back to the Ichabods, who responded with a 12-2 run to take a 47-34 advantage into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Ichabods narrowly outscored the Griffons by two points to take a 64-49 lead into the final quarter. WU managed to extend their lead to as much as 18 points, but a strong shooting performance from junior
Marie Sepp, who finished with the quarter 12 points, helped keep the game within reach.
MWSU drilled five three-pointers in a tightly contested final quarter, but it wasn't enough to knock off the Ichabods, who secured the 15-point victory and ended a six-game losing streak against the Griffons.
Offensively, Missouri Western converted 14-of-34 three-point attempts. Sepp matched a season-high 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-6 from behind the arch to lead the Griffons offensively.
Alyssa Bonilla (16), who finished one assist shy of a double-double, Toffali (14) and
Matilda Soderlund (11) also scored in double-figures.
Rebounding was crucial for Washburn in the victory, as they outrebounded Western 40-22. Additionally, they also outscored MWSU 34-24 in the paint, led by Yiibari Nwidadah's double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Missouri Western will conclude the week on the road against the Central Missouri Jennies. Tip-off from Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).
