TOPEKA, Kan. – A strong defensive effort propelled the Ichabods to a 58-52 victory against Northwest Missouri in Lee Arena on Monday evening. Washburn will close out the week hosting Emporia State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
Northwest Missouri (11-5, 6-4 MIAA) scored the first four points of the game before Washburn found its groove at the 7:22 mark with a layup from Hunter Bentley that sparked a 9-0 run. The Ichabod (6-9, 4-5 MIAA) defense locked in and forced five turnovers while holding the Bearcats to shooting just 30 percent in the frame and Washburn took a 13-8 advantage into the second quarter.
 
The Ichabods kicked off the second quarter with a 7-1 run to extend their lead to 20-9 with seven minutes on the clock. The Bearcats started an 11-2 rally midway through the period and pulled within 22-20 when Aubree Dewey hit back-to-back jump shots gave Washburn a 26-20 lead at the break.
 
Bentley scored the first points of the second half to make it 28-20 in favor of Washburn, but Northwest Missouri clawed its way back into the game and took the lead with 10 unanswered points. Abby Oliver knotted up the game at 30-all with 4:45 left in the third when back-and-forth scoring ensued and the Bearcats drained a three-pointer to even the score at 35. The Bearcats made two free throws in the final minute to take a 37-35 lead at the end of the third.
 
The Ichabods began the fourth quarter on a tear, scoring the first nine points to reclaim the lead at 44-37. Macy Doebele recorded five of those nine points. With Washburn leading 51-44 with 2:35 remaining, the Bearcats made one last push and got within one point at the 1:27 mark and then with 36 seconds left in regulation but that was as close as it would get as the Ichabods made 5-of-6 from the free throw line to close out the win.
 
Washburn finished the night shooting 43.8 percent from the floor while Northwest Missouri shot 32.7 percent. The Bearcats made 4-of-24 from deep and the Ichabods were 2-for-6 from three-point range. Both teams recorded exactly 34 rebounds.
 
Three Ichabods finished in double-figure scoring led by Bentley's 14 points. She also recorded a team-best four assists.  Oliver made 6-of-9 from the floor and finished with 12 points. Doebele made all three of her shot attempts and went 4-for-5 at the free throw line to total 11 points. Shae Sanchez and Irene Sanz both grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
 
Peyton Kelderman and Kelsey Fields each scored 10 points to lead Northwest Missouri.