The 9-8 Washburn Ichabods women’s basketball team faced off Saturday afternoon against the conference opponent Newman Jets. The women came in looking for their second straight win.

Coming in off of a comeback victory against Central Oklahoma the Bods were feeling good going into the match up on Saturday. Newman came in with a record of 9-11 and 4-7 in the MIAA. The Ichabods came in with a 4-5 record in the MIAA looking to make it to .500 in conference play.

Washburn struggled out of the gate adjusting to the zone by the Jets defense, but found hope on the defensive end and brought that to the offensive end. The defensive play was the key to getting the bods going. The Ichabods started fast defensively and never looked back. Leading the way for the Bods in scoring was senior guard Shelbe Piggie with 18 points and junior guard Hunter Bentley with 15 points. The Bods also dished out 20 assists, led by Alexis McAfee’s 8 points. The Ichabods also won the fast breaks margin by 15 points (17-2). 

In the first quarter the Jets kept it tight with a couple lead changes, there was plenty of great defense on display by both teams early. Washburn struggled at the start on offense due to seeing one of their first zone defenses all year, but leaned on its upperclassmen to get them going. 

Throughout the second quarter the Bods defense forced multiple steals and stops led by junior guard Hunter Bentley with three steals in the half. The Ichabods got out on the fast break and got easy points in transition, leading 35-26 at half.

Both teams were slow coming out of the half, not scoring the first points till the seven minute mark in the third. The Bods then caught fire going on a 7-0 run led by senior guard Mia Castaneda forcing the Jets to take a timeout. After the stop in play the Jets brought it back within 10 by getting hot from beyond the arc hitting three 3s, finishing the third 51-42 Bods.

Senior guard Shelbe Piggie led the way in the fourth scoring 8 straight and bringing the energy on the defensive end. Piggie and the Ichabod’s defense became too much for Newman, with Washburn pulling away winning 70-53.

Head Coach Ron McHenry commented on the impressive performance by his team, and how they are looking to improve for the next opponent.

“Played well, I mean I know we had some grinded times on the offensive end, but defensively we played with the best effort we’ve had all year. Our effort was there, our game plan was there, our communication and fight was there. We were pretty good in a lot of areas, I won’t sit at home and criticize this one too far. I thought we did what we needed to do,” said McHenry.

Senior guard Shelbe Piggie tied her season high scoring 18 points, she caught fire in the fourth and had enormous energy to burst the Ichabods to victory. 

“Honestly I just try to bring energy every play I can and when I bring that energy, the shots and defense all come together. Running and beating them up the floor contributes to that and we did that today,” said Piggie. 

The Ichabods move to 10-8 (5-5 MIAA) on the year and will travel to Jefferson City, Mo., Jan. 29 to face the Lincoln Tigers at 5:30 p.m.

Edited by Adam White, Jason Morrison, Jada Johnson