Lady Blues cruise in Holiday Classic Opener

Washburn SID

TOPEKA, Kan. — The 16th-ranked Lady Blues cruised to a 99-51 win over Missouri-St. Louis in the Lady Blues Holiday Classic on Friday night at Lee Arena. Washburn will finish up the Classic on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. against Rockhurst.

Washburn (3-0) trailed 7-2 in the early going, but outscored the Tritons (1-3) 38-10 the remainder of the half to go into the break with a 40-17 advantage. The Lady Blues shot 16-of-33 from the field in the first half for 49 percent, while holding UMSL to four made field goals and 18 percent shooting. Stevi Schultz scored 10 of her game-high 15 points in the first period.

A 7-0 run to start the second half pushed the lead to 30 at 47-17 and the rout was on. A 25-5 run later in the half gave the Lady Blues their biggest lead of the night at 48 with 9:17 to play in the game. The game got physical late in the second half, with the teams combining for 52 total fouls, including two technical fouls and two intentional fouls, all four against Missouri-St. Louis. Washburn shot 44 free throws, just two shy of the school record, including 40 attempts in the second half

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The Lady Blues shot 53 percent in the second half, while holding the Tritons to 31 percent and 26 percent for the game.

Schultz led five Lady Blues in double figures with 15. Hope Gregory and Rose Hammond added 13 apiece, while Amanda Fessenden and Raychel Boling added 11 each. Hammond added six assist as well. Dayna Rodriguez led Washburn with eight rebounds to go along with eight points.

Kelly Carter led UMSL with 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting.