CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Washburn women's basketball team outscored Rogers State 36-20 in the second half, but a cold-shooting second quarter proved costly as the Ichabods lost 55-54 on Monday afternoon. Washburn will travel next to Jefferson City, Mo. to take on Lincoln on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Rogers State (10-13, 6-11 MIAA) broke a 5-all tie with a three-pointer midway through the opening quarter to begin a 14-2 run to push its lead to 19-7 with 2:01 on the clock.
Abby Oliver made a layup and
Hunter Bentley followed that up with a triple to cut the deficit to single digits, but Rogers State remained in front, 20-12, at the end of the first period.
Washburn's (10-11, 8-7 MIAA) offense went cold in the second quarter as it hit just 2-of-10 from the field and made those two baskets in the final 90 seconds of the frame while Rogers State took a 35-18 advantage into the break.
The Ichabods came out firing to start the second half and outscored the Hillcats 20-9 to trim the deficit to 44-38 at the end of the third quarter.
Bentley started the fourth with a bang with another three-pointer as the Ichabods kept the game within reach throughout the quarter. Washburn pulled within one point with 2:29 left in regulation and then again with 48 seconds left when Bentley hit a pair of free throws, but the Ichabods were unable to complete the comeback as their last second shot fell short of the basket.
The Ichabods finished with a higher shooting percentage, making 21-of-48 from the floor for a 43.8 clip while the Hillcats were 21-of-61 to have a 34.4 field goal percentage. Bentley made all six of Washburn's three-pointers as the Ichabods went 6-for-20 from deep and the Hillcats were 4-of-21. Washburn had a slight edge on the glass and outrebounded RSU, 30-29.
Bentley was one point shy of tying her career-high as she finished the afternoon with 28 points while shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range. She also added five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Nuria Barrientos and Oliver each contributed 10 points and combined for nine rebounds.
Three from Rogers State finished in double-figure scoring led by Vanessa Gajdosova's 13 points and 11 rebounds.
