TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Washburn offense went cold in the fourth quarter as Northeastern State closed out the game on an 11-2 run over the final 5:18 to defeat the Ichabods, 47-44, on Tuesday evening. The RiverHawks are now 5-12 on the season while the Ichabods check in at 7-9.
Both teams traded buckets to start the game and knotted up the scores at 2, 4, and 5 before Washburn went on a 4-0 mini run to go up, 8-5. The Northeastern State defense stood firm and held Washburn scoreless for the final 4:27 of the quarter while scoring four points of its own to retake the lead, 9-8.
The Ichabods put together an 8-2 run to take a 16-15 lead with six minutes left in the opening half. Northeastern State would even the score at 16 and 20, but Washburn made four points in the last 40 seconds to go into the break with a 24-20 advantage. Neither team hit a three-point shot in the first half.
Hunter Bentley opened the second half by making the first of her two triples in the third quarter to give Washburn its largest lead at seven. The Ichabods went into the final frame in front, 38-33.
Neither team scored in the fourth until Bentley hit a pair of free throws at the 7:48 mark. NSU started its offensive rally with a 12-2 run to take the lead at 45-42 with 2:19 left in regulation. A layup by Bentley pulled the Ichabods within one with 47 seconds left on the clock and the Washburn defense forced a Northeastern State shot clock violation to take possession with 22 seconds remaining. Trailing 45-44, the Ichabods drew a foul and had a chance to take back the lead at the charity stripe with 10 seconds left, but neither foul shot fell. Northeastern State made two free throws to push the lead to three and held on for the win.
The Ichabods struggled offensively and tied their-season low field goal percentage at the 28.6 mark and made 2-of-12 from behind the arc. The RiverHawks shot 37.5 percent from the field and were 3-of-14 from deep.
Bentley finished with a double-double, leading all scorers with 20 points to go with 10 boards.
Mackenzie Gamble added seven points and two steals.
Northeastern State was led by Cenia Hayes with 17 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Washburn will face its first ranked team of the season on Saturday at No. 20 Central Missouri. Tip-off in Warrensburg, Mo., is set for 1 p.m.
