Box Score | Season Stats | Photos

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The 16th-ranked Lady Blues pulled away in the second half and beat Missouri Southern 70-56 on Thursday night at Lee Arena. Washburn is back in action on Saturday at Pittsburg State at 1:30 p.m.

Washburn (19-4, 15-4 MIAA) led by three in the early going only to see Missouri Southern (14-9, 12-7 MIAA) go on a 7-0 run to lead 13-9 with 12:48 to play in the first half. The Lady Blues used a quick 6-0 run of their own to regain the lead at 15-13. WU extended that lead to as many as six with 8:36 remaining in the opening period, but an 8-0 run by the Lions put them back in front 22-20 with 5:54 to play.

Washburn scored seven straight points to regain the lead for good at 27-22. After a three by Kelby Fritz cut the lead to two Laura Kinderknecht answered with a trey of her own to send the Lady Blues into halftime with a 30-25 lead.

Washburn opened the second half on a 9-0 run and led by 14 with 17:24 to play in the game. The Lions, however, used a 12-1 run of their own to get within three at 40-37 with 14:43 to play, but Washburn responded with a 13-4 run to push the lead back to 12 with under 10 minutes to play in regulation.

The Lions were able to cut the lead back to 10 on several occasions, but could get no closer as the Lady Blues rolled to their fourth straight win.

Cassie Lombardino and Stevi Schultz each had a game-high 16 points, while Lombardino added a career-high 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. Schultz added nine boards as well.

Alyssa Mullen had 12 points to go along with six boards and Kinderknecht chipped in 10 with four assists.

Washburn shot 39.3 percent (24-of-61) from the field and 36.4 percent (8-of-22) from three-point range. The Blues were 14-of-19 from the charity stripe for 73.7 percent.

Afton Baldwin led the Lions with 14 points, while Jasmine Lovejoy chipped in 13. MSSU shot 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the floor and 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from beyond the arc, while going 13-of-18 for 72.2 percent from the foul line.

Washburn out-rebounded Missouri Southern 43-30 and dished out 16 assists compared to nine for the Lions.


Cassie Lombardino after the win over Missouri Southern

Head Coach Ron McHenry talks about the win over Missouri Southern