| Topeka Capital-Journal
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The wait was worth it for the Washburn women.
After seeing their last three games postponed due to COVID-19 protocols with their scheduled opponents, the Ichabods finally ended a nearly monthlong break in strong fashion. Jumping all over Western from the outset, Washburn took control early and never relinquished it in rolling to a 61-49 road victory Saturday.
There were absolutely no signs of rust on Washburn’s part after a 23-day stretch since its last game. The Ichabods buried Western with an 18-2 run to start the game, which began with two Hunter Bentley free throws before tip-off when the Griffons failed to submit their starters 10 minutes before the contest.
That was just the beginning of a huge half for Bentley, who scored eight in the opening run and 11 in the first quarter alone as Washburn roared to a 23-12 lead by the end of the period.
Bentley added seven more points in the second quarter, but was Washburn’s only source of offense in the period as the rest of the Ichabods went cold, going a combined 0 of 7 from the floor as Western cut Washburn’s lead to 30-24 by halftime.
After the Griffons pulled within four on a pair of Kyra Hogan free throws less than a minute into the second half, Washburn regrouped. Abby Oliver and Nuria Barrientos scored on back-to-back layups and Bentley then scored four straight points to put the Ichabods back in control.
A 12-3 Washburn run to start the fourth quarter put the game away.
Bentley finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, hitting 4 of 8 3-pointers and 7 of 7 free throws, to lead Washburn (3-4). Oliver added 12 points to match a career high, while Barrientos had 9 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, helping the Ichabods to a 42-31 rebounding advantage.
Western (2-6) was led by 10 points apiece from Logan Hughes and Brionna Budgetts. The Griffons were just 19 of 60 from the floor, but stayed in touch by forcing 21 Washburn turnovers.
Washburn returns home Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. game against Missouri Southern.
WASHBURN WOMEN 61, MISSOURI WESTERN 49
WASHBURN (3-4, 3-4)
Gamble 2-6 0-0 5, Bentley 8-13 7-7 27, Barrientos 4-9 1-4 9, Doebele 2-4 2-2 6, Cassaday 1-2 0-0 2, Oliver 6-10 0-0 12, Tanking 0-1 0-0 0, Narber 0-1 0-0 0, Willey 0-3 0-0 0, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-49 10-13 61.
MISSOURI WESTERN (2-6, 2-6)
Evans 2-12 0-0 4, McCoy 1-7 2-4 4, Hughes 4-8 0-2 10, Budgetts 4-13 0-2 10, Hogan 2-5 2-2 6, Rodney 0-1 0-0 0, Weishaar 1-4 0-0 3, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Stephens 3-7 0-0 7, Fultz 1-1 0-0 2, Cunnigham 1-2 0-0 3, Hale 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-60 4-10 49.
Washburn;23;7;16;15;—;61
Missouri Western;12;12;15;10;—;49
3-point goals — Washburn 5-19 (Bentley 4-8, Gamble 1-4, Barrientos 0-2, Willey 0-2, Doebele 0-1, Tanking 0-1, Narber 0-1); Western 7-18 (Hughes 2-3, Budgetts 2-5, Weishaar 1-3, Stephens 1-4, Cunningham 1-2, Rodney 0-1). Rebounds — Washburn 42 (Barrientos 12); Western 31 (McCoy 7). Assists — Washburn 13 (Gamble 5, Barrientos 5); Western 13 (Evans 3). Turnovers — Washburn 21, Western 11. Total fouls — Washburn 11, Western 17. Fouled out — none.
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