By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Wabaunsee star Abby Oliver scored a game- and career-high 19 points to lead a balanced attack as Washburn's women's basketball team topped Missouri Southern 56-49 Thursday night at Lee Arena to even its record at 4-4 overall and in the MIAA.
Oliver, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, went 7 of 11 from the field and hit 5 of 6 free throws for the Ichabods, who won their second straight game, while senior Hunter Bentley added 15 points, including a 9 of 10 performance at the free throw line. Junior Nuria Barrientos recorded her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Washburn led 15-12 at the end of the opening quarter, but 4-5 Missouri Southern took a 22-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Ichabods forced third-quarter ties at 24 and 32 before using a 7-1 run to take a 37-33 advantage into the fourth quarter. Washburn led the rest of the way, leading by as much as 9 points.
Washburn helped hold the Lions at bay while hitting 13 of 16 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter and going 26 of 36 on the night.
Both teams struggled offensively, with Washburn shooting 31.3 percent (15 of 48) and going 0 of 9 from 3-point range while Southern shot 32.7 percent (16 of 49). The Lions his 5 3-pointers to help stay in the hunt.
Carley Turnbull led Missouri Southern with 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Washburn is scheduled to be back in action Saturday, hosting Pittsburg State in a 1 p.m. MIAA contest.
WASHBURN WOMEN 56, MISSOURI SOUTHERN 49
Missouri Southern 12 10 11 16 — 49
Washburn 15 6 16 19 — 56
MISSOURI SOUTHERN (4-5, 4-5)
Skiles 1-9 0-0 2, Stokes 4-6 1-2 9, Stauffer 0-0 1-2 1, Jackson 0-0 1-2 1, Turnbull 5-13 5-7 15, Hunnicutt 2-8 1-2 7, Stocks 2-6 1-2 7, Johns 0-1 0-0 0, Campbell 1-2 1-2 3, Grant 1-3 1-2 4. Totals 16-49 12-21 49.
WASHBURN (4-4, 4-4)
Bentley 3-15 9-10 15, Oliver 7-11 5-6 19, Barrientos 3-12 6-12 12, Doebele 1-3 5-6 7, Gamble 0-1 0-0 0, Cassaday 1-4 0-0 2, Willey 0-1 0-0 0, Glatczak 0-0 1-2 1, Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Rhodes 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-48 26-36 56.
3-point goals — Missouri Southern 5-16 (Hunnicutt 2-5, Stocks 2-4, Grant 1-2, Skiles 0-3, Turnbull 0-2), Washburn 0-9 (Bentley 0-5, Barrientos 0-2, Gamble 0-1, Johnson 0-1). Rebounds — Missouri Southern 37 (Stokes 10), Washburn 35 (Barrientos 11). Assists — Missouri Southern 10 (four with 2), Washburn 5 (Barrientos 2, Doebele 2). Turnovers — Missouri Southern 18, Washburn 12. Total fouls — Missouri Southern 26, Washburn 21. Fouled out — Turnbull, Doebele, Willey. Technical fouls — none.