TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn women's basketball team lost its final home game of the 2021-22 season on Thursday evening, falling 55-50 to Missouri Southern. The Ichabods will close out the regular season on Saturday at Emporia State before heading to the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City next week.
Washburn's six seniors of
Nuria Barrientos,
Hunter Bentley,
Katie Glatczak,
Mya Johnson,
Irene Sanz, and
Shae Sanchez were recognized for their contributions to the program at the conclusion of their final game in Lee Arena.
The game started with back-and-forth scoring until Missouri Southern (21-5, 18-3 MIAA) broke a 6-all tie with a 4-0 mini run and went on to lead 14-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lions scored the first five points of the second frame to push their lead to 19-11. Bentley drained a three-pointer with 6:36 on the clock to start a 6-0 run to get Washburn (13-14, 11-10 MIAA) within 19-17. At the break, the Ichabods still trailed by two at 24-22.
Abby Oliver and Barrientos hit back-to-back jumpers early in the third quarter to level the score at 26, but Missouri Southern responded with a 12-0 burst to go back in front. The Lions maintained their lead and took a 43-34 advantage into the final period.
The Ichabods turned in their best offensive quarter in the fourth as they shot 42 percent from the floor and outscored the Lions 16-12. Barrientos and Oliver teamed up again and hit back-to-back layups to trim Missouri Southern's lead to 53-50 with 16 seconds remaining, but a pair of free throws by the Lions with nine seconds put the game away for their 14th-straight victory.
Washburn finished the night shooting 31.7 percent from the field while Missouri Southern shot an even 34 percent. From three-point distance, the Ichabods were 3-of-17 and the Lions made 5-of-23. MSSU won the battle on the glass, 41-37.
Bentley played all 40 minutes and totaled 12 points and dished out a team-high three assists. Oliver also recorded 12 points and had five rebounds. Barrientos led WU with seven boards and four steals to go with six points.
Lacy Stokes paced the Lions with 25 points.
