WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- The Washburn women's basketball team outscored No. 16 Southwestern Oklahoma in the fourth quarter 26-16, but came up short in the season opener on Friday evening, 70-54. The Ichabods will close out the opening weekend tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 13) against Oklahoma Baptist at 1 p.m.
At the end of the first quarter, Southwestern Oklahoma State (2-2) held a narrow 14-10 advantage. A jumper by
Hunter Bentley to start the second frame pulled Washburn within two, 14-12, but an 8-0 scoring run that included two three-pointers pushed SWOSU's lead to double-figures. The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Ichabods 23-8 in the period and went into the break leading 37-18.
The Lady Bulldogs extended their lead and at the end of the third quarter, held a 54-28 advantage. Washburn trailed by 28 points (58-30) with 8:57 left in regulation when the Ichabods started their comeback charge.
Nuria Barrientos made a jump shot with 8:29 on the clock and ignited a 10-0 scoring run to trim the deficit to 18 with six minutes remaining.
Shae Sanchez knocked down two shots behind the arc during the scoring run. After a three-pointer by SWOSU,
Mya Johnson got things going again for the Ichabods with a layup to start a 12-0 burst that included back-to-back triples from
Mackenzie Gamble to cut the deficit back to single-digits at 61-52. Washburn's rally came up just short, though, as the Lady Bulldogs went 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final two minutes and put the game away with a three-pointer with 33 seconds left in the game.
The Ichabods finished the night with a 36.8 field goal percentage, which was slightly better than the Lady Bulldogs' 35.3 clip. Washburn also held a slight edge in rebounds, 46-41. SWOSU was able to hit 11-of-24 three-point attempts while WU was just 4-of-16, with all four coming in the fourth quarter. Southwestern Oklahoma also went 11-for-12 at the charity stripe while Washburn struggled and went 0-for-7.
Sanchez led the Ichabods with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Macy Doebele and Johnson were both 4-of-7 from the field to finish with eight points. Gamble also chipped in eight points.
Aubree Dewey had a team-best three assists and grabbed four boards.
The Lady Bulldogs had three players finish in double-figure scoring, led by Karly Gore's 19 points and eight rebounds.
