Box Score | Season Stats | Photos

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 7 Washburn Lady Blues used a 24-3 run over the final 8:14 of the game to improve to 14-2 and 7-2 in the MIAA in a 74-55 win over Pittsburg State in Lee Arena. Washburn will be at No. 9 Emporia State in the first edition of the Turnpike Tussle at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in White Auditorium.

After the Gorillas' Nicole McCombs hit a jumper in the paint giving the Gorillas their lone lead of the game at 52-50 with 8:44 to go, Washburn held Pitt State without a field goal for the remainder of the game forcing the Gorillas into seven turnovers during the stretch.  Washburn's Janice Bright started the run with a jumper to knot the score at 52 then she scored another bucket on the Lady Blues' next possession. Bright finished with a total of nine points during the closing run en route to a career-high 29 points after she scored 20 in the first half.

Washburn took a 39-27 lead into the halftime break after leading by as many as 17 in the first half after hitting 60 percent from the field going 15 of 25. Both teams combined for 28 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Bright's 29 points led three Lady Blues in double figures as she was joined by Dayna Rodriguez's career-high tying 15 points and Jessica Mainz's 13 points. Rodriguez also had a game-high seven rebounds sitting a career high as well. Bright finished the game 12 of 17 from the field including 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

McCombs led the Gorillas with 19 points. She was joined in double-digit scoring by Brianna Buchanan with 14 points.

Washburn shot 53 percent for the game hitting 27 of 51 shots and held the Gorillas to 43 percent going 20 of 47 overall. Washburn held a 32 to 24 advantage on the glass.

The Lady Blues committed only six turnovers in the second half and forced the Gorillas into 25 leading to 31 points off turnovers for the Lady Blues.

Notes:
• Washburn improved to 33-10 following a loss under head coach Ron McHenry.
• Washburn is 6-6 on Jan. 14th in the program's history.
• Washburn has kept opponents under 100 in 300 consecutive games.
• McHenry has passed former Lady Blues head coach Patty Dick for eighth on the MIAA's all-time win chart with his 228th win. McHenry enters Saturday's at Emporia State with a 228-46 record. Dick had a 227-96 record while she was on the sidelines from 1989-2000 with Washburn playing as an MIAA school after joining from the NAIA ranks.

Under head coach Ron McHenry
• Washburn is 197-13 when leading at the half.
• Washburn is 69-0 when scoring at least 81 points.
• When opponents are held to 70 points or below, Washburn is 172-32 … when opponents are held to 60 points or less, the Lady Blues are 159-15.
• Washburn is 53-22 in the month of January.
• Washburn is 217-9 when leading with five minutes to go in the game.
• Washburn is 193-10 when outshooting their opponent.
• Washburn is 34-20 against ranked teams and the Lady Blues' record against ranked teams when both are ranked in the top 25 is 31-12.