TOPEKA, Kan. --- Despite controlling the scoring three of the game's four quarters, the Washburn women's basketball fell to No. 7 Central Missouri, 72-63, Saturday at Lee Arena and subsequently dropped to 6-5 in MIAA play and 14-6 overall. 

The Ichabods outscored the Jennies (17-1, 11-0 MIAA) 18-17 in the first, despite trailing by as much as six at the 2:23 mark of the period. After Washburn accounted for six of the game's first 10 points, UCM punched back with a 10-2 run taking a 14-8 lead. Reagan Phelan though helped the Ichabods erased the deficit as she shouldered a 10-3 run including three-pointer at the buzzer.

Washburn's momentum however stalled out as the Jennies opened the second period with eight unanswered points and held the Ichabods scoreless for 4:14 A Taylor Blue trey at 5:46 of the quarter snapped the drought and trimmed the UCM margin to 25-21. The Ichabod offense however continued to struggle making just 2 of 12 from the field with 3 for 6 shooting from the line, allowing UCM to take a 39-26 lead into the break.

The Ichabods fared better in the second half outscoring the Jennies 22-19 in the third and 15-14 in the fourth while shooting 40 percent or better but were unable to overcome the deficit even after a 14-6 run to open the third.

Phelan finished with a game-best 19 points while registering four assists and two steals with 7 of 10 shooting. Axelle Bernard notched her third consecutive double-double pulling down 14 boards and chipping in offensively with 13 points. Alexis McAfee also hit double-digits scoring and she finished with 17.

Collectively, Washburn made 25 of 65 attempts with 7 of 25 shooting from distance, while UCM completed 29 of 54 shots and 9 of 21 from long range. WU however controlled the glass, out rebounding the Jennies, 35-29. The Ichabods also finished the season-low seven turnovers.

The Ichabods return to action Thursday at Nebraska-Kearney with tip-off slated for 5:30 pm.