TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Ichabods (2-1) completed a third quarter comeback and held on late to begin the Washburn Classic with a win, defeating Southern Nazarene University (1-3) 65-63. Washburn will play game two of the event Saturday at 3 p.m. against Rockhurst.
Offense came easy for both teams in the first quarter of a fast-paced game. The game was knotted at 11 midway through the first period before Aubree Dewey scored five straight points to put the Ichabods up. The Crimson Storm moved the ball inside and took a lead late in the quarter before two free throws from Lakyn Schieferecke gave Washburn a 20-19 lead after one.
Both defenses tightened up in the second quarter. Southern Nazarene forced a few turnovers and took five point lead with 4:18 left. In the final four minutes Washburn went on a 10-4 run to end the half with the first six points coming on two 3-pointers from Natalia Figueroa. Emma Chapman scored the final three points of the half putting the Ichabods up 33-32.
The Crimson Storm began the third quarter on a 7-0 run before Dewey ended it with a 3-pointer. Figueroa hit her third 3-pointer with 2:47 left in the quarter to put Washburn back up by three. After Southern Nazarene tied it up again the Ichabods would end the quarter on a 6-0 run to lead 50-44.
In the fourth quarter the Crimson Storm made runs, but the Ichabods always had an answer, with the lead fluctuating between five and one point for the entire final five minutes. Chapman hit a jumper with 1:49 left to provide the five-point cushion but Southern Nazarene scored the next four points.
Washburn sealed the victory with an assist from Aubree Dewey to Macy Doebele with 16.3 seconds remaining, putting the Ichabods up by three and leading to the 65-63 win.
Aubree Dewey scored a career-high 20 points, with nine coming in the first quarter. Natalia Figueroa set a new career-high in her freshman season, scoring 14 with three triples and three assists.
Emma Chapman scored 10 for a second consecutive game and led the Ichabods with six rebounds. Mackenzie Gamble had 10 on 4-5 shooting including five points in the fourth quarter.
Washburn tied a season high with 16 assists, with six players recording multiple. They also controlled the boards, pulling down 30 total, five more than the Crimson Storm, while also possessing a 9-3 advantage on the offensive glass.
Both teams were efficient, with the Ichabods at 45.5% shooting and the Crimson Storm shooting 48.8%, although Washburn held Southern Nazarene to just three made 3-pointers.
Cassandra Awatt had 18 to lead a quartet of Crimson Storm players finishing in double figures.
