TOPEKA, Kan. -- A second half surge gave Washburn a second straight home victory knocking off Northeastern State 72-64 at home on Saturday afternoon in front of a pink out crowd. The Ichabods will hit the road facing Central Oklahoma at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.  

Both sides traded baskets throughout the first quarter with multiple ties and lead changes. It was a 3-pointer by Aniah Wayne inside the final minute that tied the game up at 15 heading into the second period.  

Washburn (17-7, 10-5) created some separation with a five-point lead after Payton Sterk sank a triple to make it 22-17. The RiverHawks (16-8, 8-7 MIAA) battled back, scoring ten of the next 14 points to go in front 27-26 at the four-minute mark. This time a 3-pointer in the final minute by Northeastern State put them in front 36-33 heading into halftime.  

Out of the break the RiverHawks pushed the lead to five in the opening minutes. The Ichabods were able to tighten up defensively, allowing them to go on a 5-0 run and tie the game at 44. Both teams shot under 30.0% in the quarter and it was a pair of free throws by Sterk in the final second of the quarter that gave Washburn a 50-49 lead with 10 to play.  

Northeastern State continued to answer back, taking the lead three times in the first five minutes of the fourth. A fastbreak and-one layup by Brooke Gomez with 3:04 left would put the Ichabods in front for good. Wayne sealed it with a jumper in the final lead that pushed the lead to six as Washburn went on to win 72-64. 

The Ichabods finished the game shooting 44.4% overall and 4-13 from deep. They were aggressive going 20-27 at the free throw line. Northeastern State shot 42.6% from the floor while going 5-17 from deep and were efficient in limited trips at the line shooting 13-16. 

The rebounding battle was won 35-26 by Washburn, creating a 16-7 advantage in second chance scoring. Points in the paint also went 40-24 in favor of the home team.  

Five players scored in double figures for the Ichabods led by 17 points for Gabi Giovannetti who also had two steals. Payton Sterk had 11 with five assists and Britany Kogbara had 11 with nine rebounds and a pair of blocks. Aniah Wayne and Brooke Gomez each scored ten. 

Deyanna Dougas led the RiverHawks with 15 points.