By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
After dropping two games in a row with leads in the second half, Washburn women’s basketball was focused on playing a complete game in its second game of the Washburn Thanksgiving Classic against Rockhurst University Friday at Lee Arena.
But just like the previous two games, a lead in the second half did not hold and the Ichabods fell for the third straight game, dropping a 71-69 loss to the Hawks.
“We saw our body language yesterday and it wasn’t good again today, and they made their run at is it's like, 'Ok, who’s going to pick us up, who’s going to fight this out?' '' said Washburn coach Ron McHenry.
Hunter Bentley scored 16 points to lead Washburn in a tough 71-69 loss to Rockhurst Saturday at Lee Arena. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
It took nearly three minutes to get on the board but once it did the Washburn offense scored in bunches in the first quarter.
An efficient 9 of 16 attack was led by senior Hunter Bentley, who scored eight in the opening period. The bench contributed the rest of the Ichabods' 24 first quarter points to build an eight-point lead.
Bentley’s passing began the second quarter, as two early assists expanded the Ichabod lead to double-digits. Each team committed five turnovers in the second quarter, but Washburn got to the free throw line and knocked down timely 3-pointers to make it 41-28 at half.
The Hawks started the second half hot, with a 12-4 run, with all four of the Ichabods\ points coming from Bentley.
Rockhurst continued to make shots, led by senior Daly Sullivan who scored 12 in the quarter and 33 in the game.
“I wouldn’t say we did as much as we should have, you can’t let them catch the ball that easy and can’t let them get it where they want it and we just didn’t do that,” Bentley said.
Four points on driving baskets by guard Aubree Dewey kept Washburn in front by four into the fourth.
Both offenses were in rhythm early in the fourth but the Hawks continued to cut into the lead. With 5:08 left they broke through on a pull-up 3-pointer by Sullivan. The lead would trade hands twice more heading into the final minute of the game with Rockhurst in control.
After forcing a jump ball turnover with 17 seconds left the Ichabods executed an out of bounds play to give Bentley an open 3 on the left wing that she knocked down, putting Washburn in front 69-68.
“It was a high-low, we were going to do an on-ball and try and get it in to Abby (Oliver), try to get it in and they had a miscommunication, both of them went with Abby and I was wide open so I decided to take the shot but left a little bit too much time,” Bentley said.
In succession Sullivan calmly dribbled into another 3-pointer three feet behind the line that she calmly knocked down to regain the lead with four seconds on the clock.
The ensuing inbounds play by the Ichabods was snuffed out, leading to a rushed three-point attempt by Bentley which came up short, sealing a 71-69 Washburn loss.
“The first half we played well, I can’t say we didn’t play well ... but the second half we were about as bad as we played (well) the first half,” McHenry said.
Bentley led the way with 16 points while Dewey and freshman Lauren Cassady joined her in double-figures with 11. Bentley and senior Nuria Barrientos each grabbed six rebounds and had three assists while Barrientos added three blocks.
The Ichabods will begin conference play Dec. 1 against Fort Hays State University in Lee Arena.
ROCKHURST WOMEN 71, WASHBURN 69
ROCKHURST 16 12 19 24 -- 71
WASHBURN 24 17 10 18-- 69
ROCKHURST (2-1)
Hummel 10, Dodd 6, K. Sullivan 16, Wedergren 1, D. Sullivan 33, McFarren 2, Urbanski 3, Wiskur 0, Garcia 0, Bent 0. Totals 27-63 9-14 71.
WASHBURN (1-3)
Cassaday 11, Gamble 4, Glatczak 0, Bentley 16, Doebele 5, Dewey 11, Oliver 6, Barrientos 7, Sanchez 8, Johnson 0, Chapman 1, Sanz 0. Totals 25-56 14-24 69.
3-point shots – Rockhurst: 8-19 (K. Sullivan 0-3, Wedergren 0-1, D. Sullivan 7-11, McFarren 0-1, Urbanski 1-2, Wiskur 0-1). Washburn: 5-17 (Gamble 1-5, Glatczak 0-1, Bentley 1-3, Doebele 0-2, Dewey 1-1, Barrientos 0-2, Sanchez 2-3). Rebounds – Rockhurst 37 (Dodd 9), Washburn 37 (Bentley, Barrientos 6). Assists – Rockhurst 13 (K Sullivan 4), Washburn 15 (Cassaday, Bentley, Dewey, Barrientos 3). Turnovers – Rockhurst 14, Washburn 19. Total fouls – Rockhurst 21, Washburn 15. Fouled out – Washburn: Doebele. Technical fouls – none.
