By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball played its final preseason tune-up Friday night, falling to the University of Kansas 81-54 in Allen Fieldhouse.
The Ichabods begin the regular season in St. Cloud, Minn. at the Central Region Crossover against Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 8 at 4 p.m.
Washburn newcomer Payton Sterk scored 11 points in Washburn's 81-54 exhibition loss at Kansas Friday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
It was Washburn that got on the board first, with YIbari Nwidadah getting a bucket to go in the paint on the opening possession of the game.
The Jayhawks scored the next eight points, but the Ichabods battled back, going ahead 11-10 after a steal and score from Aniah Wayne in the backcourt with 2:01 left in the quarter.
The Washburn defense forced six turnovers in the first quarter but in the final two minutes Kansas was able to break down the defense, ending the frame on an 8-0 run.
The Ichabods kept it close to open the second quarter, cutting the lead down to six with 7:26 left after Payton Sterk drilled a three. Shortly after, free throws by Gabi Giovannetti made it a four-point game with 5:56 in the half.
After the Jayhawks started the game 0-14 from beyond the arc they got their first to go with 1:01 left in the quarter, which pushed the lead to double figures. Kansas went into the break leading 39-27.
A layup by Nwidadah opened the scoring 91 seconds out of halftime, but Kansas scored 12 of the next 14 points to push its lead to 20 points at the 5:19 mark.
The Jayhawks shot 5-12 from deep in the period while Washburn was unable to connect from distance in the quarter. A last second 3-pointer made it 64-36 for the home team after three.
The fourth quarter began with a quick five points for the Ichabods on a triple by Giovannetti and a layup by Sterk.
Washburn had its highest-scoring quarter of the game with 18 in the final 10 minutes of play while also shooting 4-6 from deep. On the other end the Jayhawks were able to generate offense at the foul stripe, going 8-9 on free throws to maintain the lead and finish the game with the 27-point win.
Overall the Ichabods shot 19-56 (33.9 percent) from the field and were 6-15 from beyond the arc. Defensively, they held Kansas to 26-68 shooting (38.2) but the Jayhawks attempted 28 free throws compared to 15 for Washburn. The home team was also plus ten on the boards, 48-38, and forced the Ichabods into 25 turnovers while committing just 17.
Nwidadah was a rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 15 points on 6-10 shooting with nine boards. Giovannetti and Sterk each finished in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Brittany Harshaw led Kansas with 20 points while S'Mya Nichols and Elle Evans each added 16.
Former Washburn Rural star Zoe Canfield scored 3 points on a 3-pointer and also registered a steal in 11 minutes of action.
