Box Score | Season Stats

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The No. 11 Lady Blues used a 16 to 6 run over a six-minute stretch of the second half to pull away from Northwest Missouri as Washburn picked up a 66-57 win over the Bearcats improving to 16-3 on the season and 9-3 in the MIAA. The Bearcats fell to 6-13 and 2-10 in conference play. Washburn will be back in action on Saturday in Lee Arena for the first time since Jan. 14 when they will play host to Missouri Western at 5:30 p.m.

With Washburn trailing 31-30 with 14:18 to go, Karla Tailele gave the Lady Blues the lead for good with a 3-pointer putting Washburn up 33-31. Janice Bright added a fast break lay up and Tailele scored the next five points of the game for the Lady Blues on a jumper from the wing and a 3-pointer pushing Washburn's lead to 40-33. Tailele would add another jumper to lift her point total for the game and the half to 10 points.

In the first half, the Lady Blues never trailed as they open up leads to 13-4 and 18-6 before Bearcats rallied going on a 13-2 run cutting the Washburn lead to 20-19. Washburn shot 33 percent from the field hitting 9 of 27 shots and 3 of 8 from 3-point range.

Bright led the Lady Blues with 20 points with 14 coming in the second half. Mainz added 12 points including 8 of 8 from the free throw line. Tailele reach double figures with 10 on 4 of 6 shooting.

Rickeya McElroy scored 20 lead the Bearcats including the frist 10 of the half for Northwest.

Washburn finished 22 of 53 for the game including 13 of 26 in the second half. The Lady Blues held Northwest to 38 percent shooting for the game as they hit 20 of 53 from the field.

Notes:
* Washburn leads the all-time series with the Bearcats 40-9.
* Washburn has won 10 of the last 12 overall.
* The Lady Blues are 14-5 all-time in Maryville.
*Washburn is 9-5 all-time in the program's history on Jan. 28.
* Janice Bright had her consecutive free throw streak snapped at 20 straight as she missed her third attempt of the game against the Bearcats.
* Washburn has kept opponents under 100 in 303 consecutive games.

Lady Blues out of regional rankings
The Lady Blues were not in the top 10 in the initial NCAA South Central Regional Rankings which were released today. Prior to the win over Northwest Missouri, the Lady Blues were 13-3 and 8-3 in Division II regional play. Washburn also had wins over Barry (67-54 on Dec. 18 on the Buccaneer's home court). Barry is ranked No. 3 in the South Region. Washburn also topped Indiana (Pa.), who is ranked No. 2 in the Atlantic Region. Washburn topped IUP 72-62 in overtime in Lee Arena on Nov. 29. Washburn also topped the Midwest Region's No. 4 team in Drury when they defeated the Lady Panthers 84-62 on Nov. 25 in Topeka.

South Central Region
                                            DII Overall                 Division II In-Region Record
1. St. Mary's (Tex.)             15-2                           13-2
2.  West Tex. A&M              14-3                           14-3
3. Tex. A&M – Kingsville    12-5                          12-5
4 . Emporia St.                    12-2                          12-2
5. Central Okla.                   12-3                          12-3
6. Central Mo.                       12-3                         10-3
7.  Mo. Southern                  11-4                         11-4
8.   Northeastern St.           10-6                         10-6
9.  Southeastern Okla.        8-6                           8-5
10. Tex. A&M Commerce   10-6                        10-6