TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabod women's basketball team led early but could not hold on as they lost to No. 11 Pittsburg State 77-68. Washburn will will play host to Northeastern State in the first round of the MIAA Tournament on Tuesday on Schendel Court at 7 p.m.

The Ichabods led 41-29 at the break after shooting 50 percent fromt the field hitting 14 of 28 shots overall while holding the Gorillas to 10 of 25 shooting. The Ichabods were also 12 of 12 in the first half from the free throw line in the opening stanza stretching their lead to as many as 16 in the opening half. When trailing 9-4 in the half, Washburn used a 20-7 run over a 9:25 period building an early 10 point lead as four different Ichabods scored six points.

In the second half the Gorillas (25-5, 15-4 MIAA) went on a 16-6 run over the first 8:17 of the second half to take a 47-45 lead with 12:12 to play. A jumper by Honor Duvall with 9:10 to play would tie the score at 53 each but the Gorillas would outscore the Ichabods (16-11, 8-11 MIAA) 24-15 down the stretch taking the 77-68 win.

Duvall led the Ichabods with 18 points while Ally Nikkel scored 12 points hitting all eight free throw attempts. Casyn Buchman scored 11 points. Duvall had seven rebounds leading the Ichabods. Mikaela Burgess scored a game-high 21 to lead the Gorillas.

Washburn was 11 of 31 in the second half from the field finishing 25 of 59 overall for a 42 percent average. The Gorillas were 25 of 54 in the game after shooting 52 percent in the second half.