Box Score | Season Stats

OMAHA, Neb. -- A 22-6 run midway through the first half propelled the 15th-ranked Washburn Lady Blues to a 68-47 MIAA-opening win over Nebraska-Omaha on Wednesday night at Sapp Fieldhouse. The Lady Blues will travel to Maryville, Mo. on Saturday for a 12 p.m. showdown with Northwest Missouri State.

Washburn (5-0, 1-0 MIAA) started out slow and held a 7-6 lead with 14:51 to play. A three-pointer by Stevi Schultz ignited the 22-6 run that put the Lady Blues up 29-12 with 6:56 to play in the opening half. Washburn pushed the lead to 19 at the break and led 39-20 at intermission.

The Lady Blues shot 40 percent, 14-of-35, in the first half, including 50 percent from behind the arc.

Washburn opened the second half on an 11-2 run to open a 28-point advantage. The lead grew to as many as 29 midway through the period. The Mavericks (3-3, 0-1 MIAA) cut the lead down to 19 with just over two minutes remaining, but the Lady Blues scored four quick points and closed out the game with the 21-point victory.

Hope Gregory recorded her second career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Rose Hammond led Washburn in scoring with 14. Dayna Rodriguez finished with 11 boards, while Brette Ulsaker tied her career-high with six assists.

The Lady Blues improved to 7-3 in MIAA openers under Ron McHenry and 8-2 in conference road openers.

Alyssa Green led Nebraska-Omaha with 10 points.