TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn fell for the first time in conference action on Saturday afternoon with a 67-56 loss to Central Missouri inside Lee Arena. The Ichabods will wrap up a four-game homestand on Tuesday, Dec. 16 against Truman State at 6 p.m.  

The Jennies (6-3, 2-1 MIAA) opened the game with the first five points. Washburn (6-3, 2-1 MIAA) was able to get going offensively, pulling ahead at 10-9 after a layup by Gabi Giovannetti at the 2:46 mark. Central Missouri kept connecting from outside, shooting 4-6 from deep in the quarter to lead 18-12 after 10 minutes.  

Both sides traded baskets to begin the second quarter, the Ichabods pulled within three points after a steal and score by Yiibari Nwidadah at the 5:02 mark. The Washburn offense bounced back after a slow first quarter to shot 50.0% in the second. They went in front briefly in the final minute after Payton Sterk sunk a pair of free throws. The Jennies matches with a free throw on the other end to go into the break tied at 29.  

The lead flipped sides to begin the third quarter. Washburn created separation with five straight points by Aniah Wayne to go up 39-35 with 5:23 remaining. The next six points came from the Jennies to go in front. They would lead by three heading to the fourth quarter at 45-42.  

Sterk hit a jumper with 7:29 to go in regulation that tied the game up at 45. The Ichabod offense slowed down while Central Missouri scored the next 10 points to lead by double figures inside of five minutes. Washburn got back-to-back triples by Amekporfor but were unable to cut the lead lower than eight as the Jennies won 67-56.  

The Ichabods finished the game shooting 39.6% from the floor and 4-16 from deep. Central Missouri shot 45.8% but was 8-20 (40.0%) from beyond the arc. A 37-27 rebounding advantage aided the Jennies while Washburn won the turnover battle 19-15.  

Madelyn Amekporfor led in scoring with 16 points on 5-11 shooting and grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Payton Sterk hit double figures at 10 points while Gabi Giovannetti added nine.  

Reese Schaaf and Taylor Weishaar each scored 24 points to lead Central Missouri.