TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn women's basketball team fell 64-61 in its home opener against Benedictine College on Wednesday evening. The Ichabods will host the Washburn Thanksgiving Classic next week and take on Winona State on Nov. 26 and Rockhurst on Nov. 27.
Washburn (1-2) jumped out to a 21-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter after shooting 10-of-15 from the field. A layup by
Macy Doebele with 3:11 remaining in the first half gave the Ichabods a 34-22 lead, but the Washburn offense went cold as Benedictine (5-1) ended the period on a 10-0 run.
The Ravens carried their momentum into the second half and took the lead after a 10-3 scoring run to go up 42-37 with 7:27 on the clock in the third. Benedictine closed out the period with a 4-0 mini run to take a 52-48 lead into the final frame.
Doebele drained a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter and then made a jump shot to return the lead to Washburn at 53-52 at the 7:06 mark. The Ravens responded with four-consecutive points to go back in front, but another triple by Doebele pulled Washburn within one, 57-56, midway through the quarter.
Mackenzie Gamble hit a jump shot with just under a minute left in regulation to trim Benedictine's lead to one point again, but that would be as close as it got as a missed three-point attempt by Washburn with five seconds left was off the mark.
Washburn had a 43.1 field goal percentage on the night while Benedictine shot 40.0 percent. Both teams made five triples with the Ravens sinking 5-of-16 attempts from deep. A difference in the game was the Ravens going 23-for-27 at the charity stripe while the Ichabods converted on six of their 12 free throw attempts. BC finished with a slight edge in rebounds, 35-30.
Doebele tied a career-high with 14 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the floor with two three pointers. She also led the Ichabods with seven rebounds, including three offensive boards.
Hunter Bentley chipped in nine points and snatched two steals.
Shae Sanchez dished out a team-best four assists to go with five points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Three Ravens finished in double-figures, led by Ali Brzozowski's 17 points and nine rebounds.
