TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn women's basketball team fell in the first MIAA contest of the season against top-ranked Fort Hays State on Wednesday evening, 72-50. The Ichabods continue MIAA play and host No. 21 Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
The Tigers (6-0, 1-0 MIAA) never trailed in the game and got off to a quick start, leading 12-2 three minutes into contest. Jump shots by Hunter Bentley and Shae Sanchez in the final 55 seconds of the opening period cut FHSU's lead to 17-12.
 
Fort Hays State extended its lead over Washburn (1-5, 0-1 MIAA) in the second quarter, thanks to shooting 53.9 percent from the floor in the frame, and held a 36-24 advantage at the break.
 
A 10-2 Washburn scoring run midway through the third pulled the Ichabods within eight points, 42-34, but that would be as close as it got as the Tigers responded with an 11-2 run to close out the quarter and led by double-digits for the remainder of the game.
 
Fort Hays State finished the night shooting 45.3 percent from the field and made 7-of-15 from deep while Washburn had a 34.0 field goal percentage and made 3-of-15 from behind the arc. The Tigers had a slight edge on the glass, 34-30, and netted 10 second chance points.
 
Bentley and Nuria Barrientos both contributed nine points. Macy Doebele added seven points and tied for a team-best five rebounds. Abby Oliver led the team with three assists.
 
Four Tigers finished in double-figures, led by Olivia Hollenbeck's 13 points.