Box Score | Season Stats | Photos

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Lady Blues used a 16-4 run over the final 5:28 of the first half to propel themselves to an 81-71 win over Northwest Missouri Wednesday night in Lee Arena. Washburn, who topped the Bearcats for the 23rd straight time in Lee Arena, improved to 20-4 and 12-3 in the MIAA while the Bearcats fell to 13-11 overall and 8-7 in conference play. Washburn will be back in action Saturday night at home against Emporia State in a battle between the two leaders in the conference standings at 5:30 p.m.
The Lady Blues shot a blistering 59 percent in the first half beginning the game hitting their first six shots from the field finishing the half 16 of 27 including 5 of 11 from 3-point range. The Bearcats nearly kept pace hitting 12 of 27 from the field for a 44 percent clip. With some starters in foul trouble, Washburn's bench outscored the Bearcat bench 23 to 0 with Brette Ulsaker leading the way with eight points hitting
all three field goal attempts.
In the second half, Washburn stretched their lead to as many as 22 in the second half at 68-46. The Bearcats closed the game on an 8-0 to cut the final margin to 10.
Janice Bright led the Lady Blues with 14 points. Hope Gregory scored a career-high 12 points after hitting all five field goal attempts.Amanda Holmes scored 11 with a career-high six assists. Ulsaker finished with
10 points.
Lauren Williams scored 16 to lead the Bearcats and Meghan Brue scored 11.

Notes: Washburn leads the all-time series 38-8 ... Washburn won their 23rd straight game over the Bearcats in Lee Arena and improved to 23-2 all-time in Topeka ... Washburn improved to 299-56 all-time in Lee Arena ... Washburn outscored the Bearcat bench 35 to 19 ... the 25 assists on 28 field goals was a season high.