The Washburn University Lady Blues basketball team prevailed once again at home on Wednesday, Jan. 5, against the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats, winning 89-73.

“Offensively, we played awfully well,” said Ron McHenry, Blues head coach. “We scored 89 points. Cassie Lombardino scored 35 points. I mean, she’s the fourth-place leading scorer in a regular season game. 39 is the record, so that’s nice right there. Let’s the kids play well offensively.”

Even with only one loss in the regular season, McHenry still sees ways to improve on the Lady Blues’ future contests.

“Some of the things we needed to do, we’ve got to transition well and defend well,” said McHenry. “It was a game where they play a little bit different brand of basketball, but we were able to do what we wanted to do, defensively and offensively, so it was a good outing against a team that’s keeping people fit.”

The winter holiday break has not deterred the Lady Blues from achieving their goal of winning.

“After break, we’ve played two good offensive games, both at home,” said McHenry. “You know, right now, we’re getting ready to go back out on the road against Missouri Southern, whose playing awfully well. They’re a very physical group, and we’ve always struggled with them down there in their place.”

Washburn’s only loss this season comes from a road game against Missouri Western State University, and McHenry believes the team can has the capability to win future away games.

“We have to be able to teach ourselves, convince ourselves that we can win on the road” said McHenry. “You know, with a newer group, a younger group, and some kids that haven’t been in that situation, that’s a process.

“With the schedule, we play more games on the road than we do at home, so we’ll have to handle that. Hopefully, our toughness comes out when we play on the road.”

So far, the season has been successful for Washburn, and the team is confident moving forward.

“I think that we have a lot of team chemistry, and everything is going pretty well,” said junior Megan Lassley. “I think just work hard, practice, and do all the little things right, and we are going to be a pretty successful team. I’d say more boarding and more team chemistry and just working hard together and playing and having fun.”