KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Ichabods got within three points with 3:09 left to play, but could not complete the comeback after trailing by 15 after the first quarter and fell to Rockhurst 86-79 on Saturday night. Washburn is now 3-2 on the season while the Hawks improve to 2-2.
The Hawks got off to a hot start in the opening period as they were 11-of-14 (78.6 percent) from the floor with five three-pointers on six attempts and led 31-16 after the first 10 minutes. The Washburn defense was able to slow down Rockhurst some in the second quarter to a 35.7 percent (5-of-14) clip, but the Hawks still led by double-digits at the half, 48-35.
Shelbe Piggie started the charge of Washburn's second half comeback as she hit a jump shot with 5:06 left in the third quarter to start a 9-2 scoring run for the Ichabods to trail by single digits at 60-54. Washburn shot 58.3 percent in the third frame and trailed by eight (64-56) leading into the final stanza.
Little by little, the Ichabods chipped away at the Hawks' lead. A 6-2 scoring run that included four made free throws by the Ichabods made the score a five point affair with 6:20 left in regulation. Rockhurst answered with five unanswered points to extend their lead once again. The Ichabdos scored the next seven points as
Hunter Bentley got a layup to fall and then the Ichabods capitalized on a Rockhurst turnover as
Irene Sanz burried a three-point shot.
Abby Oliver pulled down an offensive board and put the ball back up for the made layup to get Washburn within one posession at 76-73 with 3:09 remaining.
Rockhurst responded and scored seven of the next nine points.
Reagan Phelan hit a pair of free throws with 17 seconds remaining to make the score 84-79, but that would be the last points of the game for Washburn as the Hawks added two free throws of their own to close out the 86-79 victory.
Hunter Bentley led the team in scoring with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
Shelbe Piggie contributed 19 points and was 6-of-8 from the charity stripe.
Reagan Phelan chipped in 16 points and dished out six assists and made two steals.
Abby Oliver had nine points and five boards.
The Ichabods will return to the court after Thanksgiving as they head to rival Emporia State for a non-conference game on Friday, Nov. 29, at 5:30 p.m.
