The No. 14-ranked Washburn University Lady Blues basketball team defeated Missouri Southern State Thursday night, 53-42. The Blues struggled offensively through the first half but pulled ahead in the second half.

“We turned the ball over so many times,” said Ron McHenry, coach for the Lady Blues. “Offensively we shot 52 percent but we didn’t shoot that much, we threw it outta bounds or to them.”

Senior forward Tiara George led the Lady Blues in scoring with 15 points. It was a slow game for the ladies, but George provided some much needed help off of the bench. George was a remarkable 7-7 from the floor, while also leading the team in rebounds, claiming eight of them herself.

At the half, the Blues were down by two points but turned things around in the second half, leading Missouri the rest of the game.

“We was down two points in the halftime,” said George. “The second half is where we want to pick it up the most, once you get as basket you always try to keep going, keep going. We are pretty much the team that tries to keep the lead to make sure we are in the safe the whole time.”

Although the team played sloppy offense all night,  their defense is what kept them in the game.

“This was a really sluggish start offensively thank goodness we played defense, because that’s all that kept us in the game,” said McHenry. “Of course they turned over the basketball more than we did. We were lucky to be in the game the first half.”

Washburn’s leading scorer, Laura Kinderknecht, struggled going 3-16 from the court and finished the game with only nine points. Senior guard Dana Elliott provided some lift, chipping in with nine points and five rebounds.

Saturday the Lady Blues take on Pittsburg State University at 5 p.m. this Saturday at Schendel Court in Lee arena. Come out and show support for the Ichabods and Lady Blues because ESPN will be doing interviews with Washburn fans at both games Saturday night.