TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn women's basketball team had nine different players score and the team's defense had a strong showing in the Ichabods' 61-49 win over Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon. The Ichabods will hit the road for the next three games starting at Missouri Western on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
 
The Ichabods held an 8-6 advantage midway through the first quarter when a free throw from Yiibari Nwidadah started a 7-0 run to extend the lead. Washburn finished the opening period in front, 15-9, and made 9-of-10 at the free throw line. 
 
Washburn (9-10, 5-8 MIAA) scored five unanswered points in the second quarter and the Ichabod defense held Northeastern State scoreless until the 3:36 mark. The RiverHawks clawed their way back into the game and closed out the first half on a 10-4 run to cut the deficit down to 24-19 at the break. 
 
Northeastern State (5-14, 2-13 MIAA) came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, making five of their first six shot attempts to even the score at 30 with 6:06 on the clock. Aubree Dewey broke the tie with a jumper that sparked a 12-2 tear to regain the lead, 42-32, with 2:31 left in the third. Heading into the fourth, Washburn led, 44-36.
 
Gabi Artis made a layup for the first points of the fourth quarter and the Ichabods maintained a double-figure lead for the final 9:35 of the game. Washburn led by as many as 15 and Dewey scored eight of Washburn's 17 points in the frame.
 
The teams finished the afternoon with nearly an identical shooting percentage as the RiverHawks had a 34.8 field goal percentage and the Ichabods made 34.5 percent. Northeastern State was 4-of-16 from three-point range and Washburn was 3-for-9. Washburn made 32 trips to the free throw line and made 20 foul shots while Northeastern State was 13-of-16. The Ichabods dominated on the glass, outrebounding the RiverHawks, 42-31. The Washburn defense forced 16 turnovers and converted those into 18 points. 
 
Dewey scored a team-high 12 points, all occurring in the second half. Macy Doebele recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Artis and Nwidadah each contributed nine points. Nwidadah also had nine boards. 
 
The RiverHawks' offense was led by Ashton Hackler's 21 points. She played all 40 minutes and was 6-for-15 from the field while going 4-of-7 from behind the arc.