LAWTON, Okla. -- Washburn began its final regular season tournament with a full 40-minute effort on Friday night knocking off Western Colorado 59-43 in day one of the Fairfield Inn and Suites Holiday Classic. The Ichabods will finish off the tournament on Saturday facing the host Cameron at 4 p.m.  

Payton Sterk opened the scoring in the game's first 15 seconds with a made 3-pointer as Washburn (8-3, 2-1 MIAA) scored the first five points of the game. The Mountaineers (5-4, 3-1 RMAC) responded with an 8-3 run to pull within three. Defensively the Ichabods were able to hold Western Colorado in check after that in the opening quarter as they shot just 25.0% overall helping Washburn lead 15-9.  

Both sides slowed down to begin the second quarter with just nine total points in the first five minutes of action. With the lead at just two points the Ichabods got four in a row from Gabi Giovannetti in the final minutes of the quarter to lead 26-20 heading into the break.  

After trading baskets to open the third quarter Washburn pushed the lead to double figures with Sterk drilling another 3-pointer to make it 35-25 at the 5:18 mark. An old-fashioned three-point play late in the quarter by Nia McKenzie made it a 15-point game as the Ichabod defense held the Mountaineers to under 30.0% shooting in the quarter once again. 

Western Colorado turned around its offensive attack in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, cutting the lead down to six points at the 5:08 mark. Britany Kogbara put a stop to the run with an and-one conversion that started a 12-0 run for Washburn that lasted into the final minute of action as they went on to win 59-43.  

The Ichabod offense shot 42.6% from the floor while going 5-11 from deep and 14-17 at the line in an all-around efficient effort. The defense was equally as stifling, holding the Mountaineers to just 31.9% shooting and 5-18 from three-point range.  

Washburn won the turnover battle 22-14 leading to a 14-9 advantage in points off giveaways. They also had a 26-14 edge in paint scoring.  

Payton Sterk led the team in scoring with 15 points on 5-8 shooting to go along with four steals. Brooke Gomez had a season-high 11 on 5-6 shooting and three steals while Gabi Giovannetti had 10 points. Six players finished with five or more points while all 14 Ichabods logged minutes.  

Alyssa Eckroth had a team-high 10 points for Western Colorado.