TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn women's basketball team lost its final home game of the 2022-23 season to Missouri Southern on Thursday evening, 71-56. The Ichabods will close out the regular season at Emporia State on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to the game, Washburn's three senior student-athletes,
Emma Chapman,
Macy Doebele, and
Abby Oliver, as well as student manager,
Noah Garber, were recognized on the court for their contributions to the Washburn women's basketball program.
The Ichabods (11-16, 7-14 MIAA) won the tip and started the game on a 7-2 run for an early lead. Missouri Southern (23-6, 15-6 MIAA) answered with a 7-2 run of its own to level the score at 9-all. Washburn reclaimed the lead with a 5-0 mini run, but the Lions closed out the last four minutes and 33 seconds on a 15-6 tear to go up, 24-20, at the end of the opening quarter. The Ichabods finished the frame shooting 53.3 percent from the field.
For the second-straight quarter,
Gabi Artis got the scoring started with a three-pointer in the first 30 seconds to pull the Ichabods within one, 24-23. Both teams experienced a scoring drought as the next points weren't scored until Missouri Southern made a triple with 6:22 on the clock. The Lions scored four points in the last 18 seconds to take a 41-29 lead into the break.
The Lions maintained their lead for the remainder of the second half. Washburn trailed 59-46 at the start of the fourth quarter, but put together a 9-2 run to pull within six, 61-55, midway through the frame. Washburn would get no closer, though, as Missouri Southern finished off the final four and a half minutes with a 10-1 run to win by 15.
Missouri Southern finished the evening shooting 44.8 percent from the field while Washburn shot 39.0 percent. From three-point range, the Ichabods made 6-of-16 and the Lions made 3-of-12. Missouri Southern had a resounding advantage at the free throw line, going 16-of-18, while Washburn was 4-of-9 at the charity stripe. The Ichabods outrebounded the Lions, 36-34. MSSU forced 20 turnovers and turned those into 31 points.
Artis led the Ichabods with 14 points and made 4-of-7 from behind the arc.
Aubree Dewey also added double-digits with 10 points and led the team with nine rebounds. Doebele chipped in nine points and seven boards.
Three from Missouri Southern finished in double-figures, led by Mia Topping's 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting and a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line.
