HAYS, Kan. -- Washburn fell behind early after a quick start from No. 7 Fort Hays State and would fall 83-53. The Ichabods will put conference play on hold as they travel out of the country for the Puerto Rico Clasico beginning Dec. 16 as they face University of. Puerto Rico Rio-Piedras. 

The first nine points of the game came for the Tigers (9-0, 2-0 MIAA) with Washburn (4-6, 0-2 MIAA) not getting on the board until Madelyn Amekporfor got a layup to go at the 6:19 mark. The lead for Fort Hays State grew to double figures as the Ichabods were held to 3-14 shooting in the quarter and trailed 22-7.  

It was more of the same to start the second quarter as the Tigers scored the first nine points. Washburn got back-to-back buckets, on a 3-pointer from Gabi Giovannetti then a steal and score by Brooke Gomez. The Ichabods were held off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half, as Fort Hays State shot 11-22 in the quarter to lead 48-12 at the break.  

The Washburn offense got going in the third quarter, as they shot 8-17 (47.1%) and scored 20 points. Fort Hays State's offense continued to be efficient though, as they kept pace and grew the lead to as many as 43 points. Giovannetti got the final two points of the quarter at the line to make it 69-32.  

As the fourth quarter went on the Ichabods chipped away at the deficit to get it down to 30. That is where it sat after 40 minutes following five points from Payton Sterk to end the game.  

Washburn ended the game shooting 20-61 (32.8%) and were 4-22 from beyond the arc. Fort Hays State shot 33-65 (50.8%) even while shooting 5-23 from three-point range.  

A 22-12 advantage in turnovers and 40-33 on the glass boosted the Tigers. They also had a 44-28 advantage in paint scoring.  

Gabi Giovannetti had 11 points to lead the Ichabods. Brooke Gomez had seven with three assists and three steals.  

Five players scored in double-figures for Fort Hays State, led by Katie Wagner DeGarmo with 14.