TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn women's basketball team captured a 72-67 triumph over Emporia State in Lee Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Ichabods remain at home next week hosting Newman (Jan. 26) and Central Oklahoma (Jan. 29).
 
The first quarter was back and forth as there were four lead changes and four tie scores. Emporia State (9-8, 4-7 MIAA) knotted up the score at 15-all and then ended the first period on a 5-0 run to go in front, 20-17.
 
Abby Oliver scored the first three points of the second quarter to level the score at 20 and then after an ESU bucket, Washburn (7-9, 5-5 MIAA) hit back-to-back jumpers to retake the lead, 24-22. The Ichabods pushed their lead to six, 35-29, on a triple by Irene Sanz with just over a minute left in the first half. Emporia State scored the final three points of the quarter but Washburn remained in the lead, 35-32, at the break.
 
The Lady Hornets scored three unanswered points to start the second half to even the game at 35-35. Nuria Barrientos grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up to give the Ichabods the lead again and Washburn stayed in front for rest of the quarter. Oliver tallied eight points in the frame and her final three points sent Washburn into the final stanza with a 57-48 advantage.
 
Washburn extended its lead to double-digits in the opening minute and kept it that way until Emporia State put together an 11-2 run starting at the 4:30 mark and trimmed WU's lead to 67-64 with 54 seconds left in regulation. On the ensuing possession, Hunter Bentley added some cushion to the lead converting on an old-fashioned three-point play. The Lady Hornets continued to fight back and drained a three-pointer with 22 seconds to go to get back within three. Needing to stop the clock, ESU fouled Bentley and she made both free throws to make it 72-67. The Lady Hornets missed their final two shot attempts and the Ichabods secured their second-consecutive home victory over ESU.
 
Washburn shot 47.5 percent from the floor while holding Emporia State to shooting 35.5 percent. The Lady Hornets made 7-of-30 three-pointers and the Ichabods were 3-of-13 from deep. The Ichabods dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Lady Hornets, 46-30.
 
Bentley led three Ichabods in double-figure scoring, making 6-of-10 shot attempts from the field and made all five of her free throws to finish with 18 points. Barrientos recorded her third double-double of the season and closed out the day with 15 points and a career-best 14 rebounds. Oliver chipped in 13 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.
 
Four from Emporia State scored double-digits led by Tre'Zure Jobe's 15 points.