TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn women's basketball (1-1) was unable to hold onto a narrow second-half lead, losing 43-41 to Oklahoma Baptist University (1-1) in a low-scoring affair to wrap up the 2022 Washburn Crossover Classic. The Ichabods will play two more games in Lee Arena next weekend, beginning with Southern Nazarene University on Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
Both teams were held scoreless for the first 3:58 of the game before the Bison scored first. OBU controlled an 8-5 lead over Washburn after the first 10 minutes. Both teams shot under 35% from the floor to open the game.
The Ichabods' offense got going in the second quarter with shots falling from behind the arc. After knocking down one triple in the first quarter, Mackenzie Gamble sunk another in the second and was followed by another from Natalia Figueroa to tie the game.
Washburn led by as many as three in the period and would go into halftime up 20-19. The Ichabods held the Bison to 30% shooting in the first half and forced 10 turnovers.
Coming out of halftime, two 3-pointers from Gabi Artis gave Washburn its biggest lead on the day of four points. Oklahoma Baptist's offense picked up, shooting 5-10 from the floor in the quarter to take a 31-28 lead into the fourth.
In the final period of play, shots stopped falling for the Ichabods, going 4-13 from the floor. The lead was cut to one point after a jumper by Emma Chapman with 7:56 remaining but Washburn was not able to get any closer, falling 43-41.
Chapman led Washburn with 10 points while also pulling down seven rebounds, both career highs. She was the only Ichabod to finish in double figures. Gabi Artis scored eight points and had two blocks.
Washburn won the rebounding battle 25-22 and pulled down 12 offensive boards in the game. Lauren Cassaday had a game-high nine. The Ichabods' 13 assists surpassed the Bisons' total of eight as well. Aubree Dewey had four assists to lead Washburn.
The Ichabods lost the turnover battle, 25-20, allowing Oklahoma Baptist to score 21 points off the miscues.
Washburn held the Bison to just 37.8% shooting in the game. They were led by Jaedyn Getman who scored 13 points and Melissa Southard with 12.
