TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Women's Basketball fought back from a double-digit deficit late to come within seven, but couldn't complete a valiant comeback and lost, 86-75, to Central Missouri on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
 
WU (12-11, 8-9 MIAA) has now lost four straight while UCM improves to 9-13 (8-9 MIAA).  The Ichabods shot above 50 percent for the second straight game, but were once again hurt by the three-point ball, as UCM shot 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from beyond the arc. Washburn hit 8-of-18 from long range, but it wasn't enough.
 
Down 53-45 at half, WU saw its deficit slip to over 20 midway through the third quarter and trailed by 19 (77-58), headed for the final period.  WU picked up the scoring from there, climbing back into contention thanks to a 13-0 run.  That cut the lead to six (77-71) with just under four minutes remaining, but free throw shooting down the stretch allowed UCM to keep the Ichabods at bay.
 
Jharian Bowen played just 13 minutes on the night, entering the game in the third for the first time before shooting 4-of-4 on three-pointers (and 5-of-5 total from the field) to tie for the team lead in points, matching Erin Dohnalek (who went 4-for-5 on field goals) with 14 points. 
 
Felisha Gibbs had 12 points in her first game back after missing the previous five, while Jayna Smith just missed a double-double, finishing with 10 rebounds and eight points.
 
Washburn hits the road this weekend to take on Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo., on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.