The Washburn Women’s Basketball Team extended their winning streak to 3 with a  win over the Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Saturday, February 20. The Ichabods entered the game with confidence after a blowout victory over Northeastern State University, 85-27, with an overall record of 14-11(now 15-11) and a conference record of 10-9(11-9). The Bronchos entered the game 16-9(16-10) with a conference record of 10-9(10-10) and on the wrong end of a three-game slide after the loss to the Ichabods.

The Ichabods jumped to an early lead, up by 6 halfway through the first quarter, 12-6, and took off offensively, keeping the lead going into the second quarter, 17-11. The Bronchos weren’t going down without a fight after initially coming back in the second quarter and then falling again to an 8 point deficit with six minutes to play. They then took a run that brought the game within a single, 30-29, point with just under two minutes left. The Ichabods ended the half only up by two points.

The Bronchos fell to a five-point deficit after half but started playing well, keeping the Ichabods scorers away from the basket as the quarter progressed. They took their first lead of the game, 49-51, with just over a minute to play. The Ichabods responded and fought back to a four point lead, 55-51.

The Bronchos would only bring the game within one possession once more throughout the fourth quarter with under 2 minutes to play, 64-62. They were then forced to foul, sealing an Ichabod win as WU’s lead expanded to 7 for a final score of 69-62.

Four Ichabods broke double digit point totals. Haley Pfau and Alexis Bowens each had 17, Pfau’s points coming mainly from five three-pointers and Bowens from the paint. Pau shot five of nine from beyond the arc and six of 12 in all. Bowens went seven of nine from the field, made three of her five free throws and had four offensive and four defensive rebounds. Jharian Bowen also had 13 points, making five of seven from the field and two three-pointers. Jayne Smith had 11 points, making four of five from the field and three of four from the free throw line. She also grabbed 13 rebounds.

For the Bronchos, McKenzie Holberg and Julia Mason each had 14 points. Holberg struggled with three of 13 from the field but made all seven of her free throw attempts. Mason made five of 11 shots, two of which were threes, and made two free throws. Olivia Mason also had 10 points, most of which came from making seven of nine free throws. She also made her only three-pointer of the night.

The Ichabods will be back in action against Missouri Western on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Joseph, MO. Missouri Western will enter the game with an overall record of 24-2, and 18-2 in the conference. They have only suffered one home loss all season.