MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Washburn women's basketball opened its 2024-25 exhibition schedule on Wednesday night with an 89-36 road loss to No. 13 Kansas State. The Ichabods will play their final exhibition game of the season on Friday against Kansas at 6:30 p.m.
After the Wildcats scored the first six points of the game Payton Sterk opened up the scoring for Washburn with a 3-pointer at the 8:48 mark of the first. Kansas State pushed the lead to double digits with hot shooting from deep early on The Ichabods held KSU scoreless over the final two and a half minutes, going on a 4-0 run to close the quarter with three points coming by Brooke Gomez.
After the Wildcats opened the second quarter with a quick run that made the deficit 24 Amaya Davison was able to score six in a row, first with a triple followed by a steal and fast break old-fashioned three point play. Turnovers held Washburn from cutting into the lead further with 17 giveaways in the first half, Kansas State went into the break leading 40-19.
Out of the half the first seven points went to the Wildcats, a jumper by Sterk broke up the scoring but the run was pushed to 13-2. The hot shooting for Kansas State carried throughout the quarter going 11-18 (61.11%) from the floor to lead 70-25 after 30 minutes.
Washburn had its highest scoring quarter in the fourth with multiple scores by Sterk and Yiibari Nwidadah. The Wildcats continued to score as both teams played deep into the bench to close out the game.
The Ichabods finished the game shooting 13-56 (23.2%) from the floor while going 7-8 at the line. Thirty-one Washburn turnovers resulted in 36 points on the other end. Kansas State was 32-66 (48.5%) overall while connecting on nine triples.
The rebounding edge went to the Wildcats 53-31, including 18 on the offensive end. The Ichabods also managed just three assists to 27 for Kansas State.
Payton Sterk led Washburn with 12 points on 5-13 shooting and was tied for the team lead with five rebounds. Amaya Davison added six points while each of Gabi Giovannetti, Madelyn Amekporfor and Yiibari Nwidadah had four.
Four Wildcats scored in double figures led by 14 points from Temira Poindexter. Ayoka Lee had 11 points with seven rebounds and Zyanna Walker had 11 points and five assists.
