It took over two minutes to score after falling behind 0-2 but Washburn took off once it did, going with a 12-2 run. The run was led by senior guard Hunter Bentley, who scored the first five points. That is how the rest of the quarter would go for the Ichabods, as they shot 9-16 in the period to take a 24-16 lead.

Bentley controlled the start of the second quarter with her passing, assisting freshman forward Lauren Cassaday and sophomore guard Macy Doebele on back-to-back buckets, growing the lead to double-digits. As Washburn’s offense began to stagnate from turnovers, its defense picked up pressure, holding Rockhurst to 12 points in the quarter and forcing five turnovers to bring a 41-28 lead into halftime.

“The first half we didn’t play well … but the second half we were about as bad as we played the first half,” said head coach Ron McHenry.

The Hawks indeed began to soar in the second half, scoring the first seven points before a Bentley jump shot put an end to the run. Rockhurst’s shooting did not slow down, as another three-pointer made it just a five-point game. Four straight points on driving baskets by freshman guard Aubree Dewey kept the lead intact through three as the Ichabods led 51-47 heading into the fourth.

Offense was free flowing for both teams to start the fourth quarter. Each time the Hawks cut into the lead Washburn had an answer until Rockhurst guard Daly Sullivan, who finished with a game-high 33 points, walked into a three pointer to pull ahead 61-60 with 5:03 left. The lead would trade hands twice more into the final minute of the game with the Hawks ahead.

After forcing a jump ball turnover with 17 seconds left the Ichabods executed an out of bounds play to give Bentley an open three 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 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.

Wasting no time, Sullivan calmly dribbled into another three-pointer three feet behind the line and knocked it down to give Rockhurst a two-point lead with four seconds remaining.

After calling a timeout, 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.

“We saw our body language yesterday and it wasn’t good again today. They made their run and it’s like, ok, who’s going to pick us up? Who’s going to fight this out?” McHenry said.

Bentley led the way with 16 points while Dewey and Cassaday each added 11. Bentley and senior guard Nuria Barrientos each grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists while Barrientos added three blocks.

The loss is the third in a row for the Ichabods, who will play Dec. 1 against number one ranked Fort Hays State. The home game will be the first in conference play for the Ichabods.

Edited by Ellie Walker