TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Women's Basketball moved to 16-1 in home openers under head coach Ron McHenry with a 58-46 victory over Newman on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Lee Arena.
 
WU (3-0) remained undefeated and shot 39.2 percent from the field and 35 percent (7-of-20) from long range. The Ichabods outscored NU, 20-8, in the paint and held the Jets to just 21.8 percent shooting on field goals.
 
Washburn started hot, rolling out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter and holding the Jets scoreless for the opening 4:47 of play.  From there, NU cut the lead to four (11-7) with 33 seconds left in the quarter before a three-pointer from Erika Lane pushed it back to seven-point game, 14-7, at the break.
 
Erin Dohnalek hit a three-pointer just over a minute into the second quarter to end a 6-0 run for the Ichabods to give them the first double-digit lead of the game (17-7).  Ahead six later on, lane hit another three-pointer at the six-minute mark to open another stretch of six unanswered that lasted over two minutes.  Newman, however, closed the half on a 7-1 run over the final 3:40 of action, sending WU to the locker room ahead by six, 28-22. 
 
It was the Jets' turn to fire out of the gate in the second half, breaking off on a 13-6 run that gave them the lead, 35-34, with 2:23 on the clock in the third quarter.  A string of seven unanswered in the midst of that rally saw WU held scoreless for nearly three minutes, but the Ichabods recovered to lead by five heading into the fourth quarter, 40-35.
 
Counting the final six points of the third, Washburn pulled away from the Jets with a 16-1 burst that lasted nearly six minutes and put WU ahead by 14, 50-36, with 6:43 to play.  Newman climbed within 10 once more in the game but that was as close as things got as WU held on for the win, 58-46.
 
Dohnalek led the Ichabods with 14 points and three three-pointers, adding a team-high four assists.  Felisha Gibbs (12 poitns) and Lane (11 points) were also in double-digits, as Lane and Haley Pfau (nine points) each hit two three-pointer for Washburn and Gibbs pulled down five rebounds.
 
On the boards, Jayna Smith paced the team with 10 rebounds (all defensive) to go with three assists and Alyxis Bowens grabbed nine boards while shooting 6-of-6 from the free throw line and finishing with eight points, three blocks and two steals (leading the team in blocks and steals).
 
Washburn travels to No. 11 Drury on Saturday, Nov. 21 for a non-conference regional game.  Tip-off from Springfield, Mo., is 5:30 p.m., as the Ichabods look to remain unbeaten and pick up their first win over a ranked opponent this season.