TOPEKA, Kan. --Washburn returned home for the first time in more than two weeks and grinded through a defensive battle to win 45-38 over Northwest Missouri State. The Ichabods will put their three-game winning streak on the line next against Missouri Western at home on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.  

Payton Sterk opened the game drilling a 3-pointer on the first possession. The next eight points came from the Bearcats (10-9, 3-6 MIAA). The Washburn (13-5, 6-3 MIAA) offense got going to keep pace. Although a pair of triples in the final minutes by the Bearcats pushed the lead to a game-high seven points at 16-9 after ten minutes.  

The first six points in the second quarter came inside from Yiibari Nwidadah to match the scoring by Northwest Missouri. After a layup for the Bearcats at the 6:27 mark they were held scoreless for the remainder of the half, shooting just 20.0% in the quarter. The Ichabods finished the half on a 9-0 run to lead 24-21 heading into the locker room.  

Just like the first meeting between the two teams points were hard to come by in the third quarter. Northwest Missouri scored five points in the first two minutes to go in front, but were held to just four points the rest of the quarter. A pair of jumpers by Sterk put Washburn in front by four before the Bearcats scored the final four to tie the game at 30 going to the fourth.  

A pair of 3-pointers from Aniah Wayne and Gabi Giovannetti opened the fourth quarter, the second putting the Ichabods in front 36-35. Northwest Missouri knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game at 38 with 5:51 left but once again were held scoreless for more than five minutes in a row. Sterk knocked down what would be the go-ahead bucket with 3:18 remaining to start a 7-0 finish to the game and 45-38 win.  

Washburn needed to shoot just 31.5% from the floor to win, going 3-10 from deep. On the other end the Bearcats were held to 27.5% shooting while going 5-19 from behind the arc.  

Rebounding went in favor of the Ichabods 42-33, while they also narrowly won the turnover battle 10-9. On the defensive end Washburn held the visitors to zero fast break points and just five second chance points with advantages in both.  

Yiibari Nwidadah led the effort on the boards tying a career-high 16 while scoring 13 points on 6-12 shooting for a double-double. Payton Sterk led all scorers with 16 points on 7-13 shooting while Aniah Wayne added seven points off the bench.  

Ella Moody had 13 points to lead Northwest Missouri while Bailey Birmingham had 11.