QUINCY, Il. -- Washburn women's basketball fell just short of picking up its first win on Saturday afternoon, falling 70-67 to Quincy in the final game of the Quincy Classic. The Ichabods will stay on the road to face William Jewell on Tuesday, Nov. 19 with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
After creating a 5-2 lead early, Washburn (0-4) rode the hot hand of Yiibari Nwidadah in the first quarter as she scored 10 straight points for the Ichabods to put them ahead 15-8 with 3:58 left in the frame. The lead grew to double figures after Madelyn Amekporfor went 2-2 at the line at the 1:15 mark. The Hawks (3-1) offense got going as they cut the lead to eight, ending the quarter down 25-17.
Quincy scored the first four points of the second quarter and picked up the aggressiveness offensively. They went 8-10 at the free throw line in the second quarter alone after not shooting from the charity stripe in the first. After Washburn shot 50.0% from the floor in the first quarter they were held to 5-17 shooting (29.4%) in the second. The Hawks went from down seven to up by three at 31-28 with 4:24 left in the half. The Ichabods finished the half strong, beginning with a triple by Brooke Gomez to break a 32-32 tie and spark a 10-4 run to end the half leading 42-36.
Both sides traded baskets coming out of the half. After the lead had gone down to four a 3-pointer by Payton Sterk and free throw by Amekporfor put it back up to eight at the 4:54 mark. Each team struggled to score as both shot under 30.0% from the floor. A second chance opportunity by Nwidadah extended Washburn's lead from the quarter's beginning as it ended 53-46.
Another long ball from Sterk began the fourth quarter and made it a 10-point game. After another Nwidadah basket at the 6:34 mark to put the Ichabods up by eight the next seven points came from Quincy. Shortly after, another seven-point run would put them up by four. Gomez and Nwidadah came through with baskets in the final 125 seconds that would tie the game at the 40-second mark. Washburn was unable to turn over the Hawks and the home squad was true at the free throw line, putting the game away for a 70-67 win.
After a hot start shooting the Ichabods finished 23-66 (34.8%) from the floor but were 17-22 (77.3%) from the line. Quincy finished strong to shoot 26-62 (41.9%) for the game.
Extra opportunities were the key for the Hawks as they won the rebounding battle 50-34. It was partially offset by Washburn turning them over 19 times while only registering 15 giveaways themselves, but it was not enough.
Yiibari Nwidadah set a new career-high with 29 points on 12-16 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds and recording a career-high four blocks. Madelyn Amekporfor had nine points to go along with three rebounds while Brooke Gomez and Payton Sterk each had eight.
Nicole McDermott scored 25 points on 7-13 shooting and 10-10 at the line to pace Quincy. Acheampomaa Danso had a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards as well.
Yiibari Nwidadah was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the event.
