WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Washburn led early on but was unable to withstand a hot second half from Central Missouri, falling 85-72 in the final game of the 2024 calendar year. The Ichabods return to action on Jan. 4, 2025 against Emporia State on the road.  

After falling behind 7-4 in the opening minutes Washburn (6-7, 0-3 MIAA) went on a 10-2 run beginning and ending with baskets by Madelyn Amekporfor to put them in front. The Jennies (9-5, 1-2 MIAA) scored the next five points to tie things back up but the Ichabod offense built the lead back up, shooting 50.0% in the quarter to lead 19-17.  

A triple in the opening minutes of the second quarter by Amekporfor made it 25-19 in favor of Washburn, the largest lead to that point. The margin grew to seven points on a pair of free throws by Payton Sterk with 2:41 to play in the quarter. In the final minutes of the half Central Missouri outscored Washburn 9-2, tying the game at 35 on three straight free throws in the final seconds before the break.  

Coming out of the half the Jennies sank two 3-pointers in the first 62 seconds to lead by six. It was the start of a 6-6 shooting performance from beyond the arc in the quarter. A triple by Sterk cut the lead back down to five with 5:13 left in the quarter but the next 13 points all went to Central Missouri who scored 31 in the quarter. Yiibari Nwidadah got a pair of buckets to go in the final minutes to cut the deficit back down to 14 heading into the fourth.  

Twice in the first three minutes Washburn got the lead down to 12 points but both times the Jennies responded. In the final two minutes the Ichabods went on a 6-0 run to bring the lead down to eight points as they shot over 50.0% in the quarter. On the other end Central Missouri kept the game out of reach shooting 9-9 at the free throw line in the final quarter to salt the game away and win 85-72.  

Washburn ended the game shooting 29-59 overall (49.2%) but were just 3-13 (23.1%) from beyond the arc. A strong second half from the Jennies brought their shooting percentage up to 45.5% going 30-66. They were 8-19 (42.1%) from three-point range and 17-19 at the line in an all-around efficient performance.  

Central Missouri outrebounded the Ichabods 38-30 for the game, with most of the advantage coming in the second half. Assists also went in the Jennies' favor 17-9. Neither team's benches were very involved scoring the ball, with Washburn's bench crew outscoring UCM's 7-2.  

Madelyn Amekporfor led all scorers with a new career-high 23 points on 9-11 shooting. She was everywhere on the defensive end as well, with four steals and three blocks. Yiibari Nwidadah had 20 points on 9-13 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds to near a double-double. Payton Sterk had 13 points and snagged six rebounds.  

Lauren Frost and Reece Schaaf each scored 21 points to lead Central Missouri. Frost added 10 rebounds and seven assists. Taylor Weishaar had 19 points along with 11 rebounds.