EMPORIA, Kan. -- Washburn led through three quarters but an early fourth quarter run by Emporia State led to the Ichabods falling 60-57 to open MIAA competition. There will be a full week before Washburn is back on the court, hosting Rogers State on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.  

The Ichabods (5-2, 0-1) got off to a strong start thanks to holding the Hornets to 0-12 from the floor to begin the game. Wasbhurn was able to jump ahead 11-6 with 3:07 left in the first quarter after an and one by Liz Boyd. Emporia State (3-3, 1-0) went on an 8-1 run to take the lead before the Ichabods tied it up at 14 to end the quarter.  

Cold shooting fell upon Washburn in the second quarter as they shot 4-14. The Hornets scored the first bucket of the quarter and stayed ahead for the remainer of the half with 6-0 and 5-0 runs boosting the lead up to as many as six. An old fashioned three point play was converted by ESU to conclude the scoring for the half and put them in the lead 30-25.  

After making only eight field goals in the entire first half the Ichabods shot 8-12 in the third quarter alone. The hot shooting gave them a lead at 35-34 with 6:11 left after a Lakyn Schieferecke 3-pointer. A fastbreak layup by Gabi Giovannetti pushed the lead up to five with 2:13 left in the period before Emporia State responded with a quick five-point burst. Aburee Dewey put Washburn back up 45-43 with two free throws at the quarters end.  

After the score was tied at 47 early in the fourth quarter the Hornets went on an 8-2 run to lead by six with 4:00 left in the game. The next basket came from Aniah Wayne with 2:16 left in the game to cut the lead down to four. A 3-pointer by Wayne would cut the lead down to three but the Ichabods never got closer than that, falling 60-57.  

Washburn outshot Emporia State hitting 38.9% of its shots while holding the Hornets to 33.3% shooting. The deficit in percentages was made up by Emporia State grabbing a 45-36 rebounding advantage. The Hornets had an advantage at the line, knocking down 16-24 free throws while the Ichabods made just 11-19 at the charity stripe.  

Yiibari Nwidadah grabbed a third straight double double with a team-high 15 points coupled with 10 rebounds on 7-10 shooting. Aniah Wayne and Liz Boyd each added nine points for Washburn with Boyd going a perfect 3-3 from the floor.  

Emporia State had a trio of players finish in double figures led by Katie Horyna who had 14 points and had five of ESU's six assists for the game.