By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn's try for a big road win came up just short Saturday, with Central Oklahoma escaping with a 74-73 MIAA victory at Edmond, Okla. when the Ichabods' halfcourt 3-point attempt bounced off the rim as time ran out.
Satuirday's game was tight throughout, including a 16-16 tie at the end of the first quarter, a 32-28 Washburn lead at the half and a 47-45 Bronchos advantage at the start of the fourth quarter.
Washburn and Central Oklahoma were tied at 65 and 67 before Hunter Bentley hit two free throws to put the Ichabods in front 69-67 with a minute remaining.
Central Oklahoma hit a 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining to go back in front and Washburn could not regain the lead the rest of the way.
Bentley, a senior, led four double-figure scorers for Washburn with 24 points, including a 13 of 14 performance at the free throw line. Mackenzie Gamble hit 5 of 7 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 19 points while Nuria Barrientos added 13 points and Abby Oliver 12. Lauren Cassaday grabbed 9 rebounds for the Ichabods, who fell to 6-7 overall and in the MIAA.
The Bronchos, who improved to 9-4, were led by Kelsey Johnson, who had 24 points and 8 rebounds.
Washburn returns home to Lee Arena next week for games against Rogers State on Thursday and Northeastern State on Saturday.
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA WOMEN 74, WASHBURN 73
Washburn 16 16 13 28 -- 73
Central Oklahoma 16 12 19 27 -- 74
WASHBURN (6-7, 6-7)
Gamble 7-10 0-0 19, Oliver 6-9 0-2 12, Bentley 5-14 13-14 24, Barrientos 5-10 3-6 13, Doebele 1-1 2-2 4, Willey 0-2 0-0 0, Dewey 0-2 0-0 0, Cassaday 0-2 1-2 1, Glatczak 0-0 0-0 0, Rhodes 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-50 19-26 73.
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (9-4, 9-4)
Allen 2-9 2-4 6, Rayner 4-11 0-0 11, Littell 2-7 7-8 11, Johnson 8-11 8-13 24, Young 1-4 2-2 5, Factor 1-1 0-0 3, Wadsworth 1-2 0-0 3, LLanusa 0-1 0-0 0, Donica 1-3 1-2 4, Harrelson 0-0 0-0 0, Dement 2-5 0-0 5, Richardson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 23-56 20-29 74.
3-point goals -- Washburn 6-15 (Gamble 5-7, Bentley 1-5, Barrientos 0-1, Willey 0-1, Dewey 0-1), Central Oklahoma 8-17 (Rayner 3-8, Young 1-1, Factor 1-1, Wadsworth 1-2, Donica 1-3, Dement 1-2).. Rebounds -- Washburn 34 (Cassaday 9), Central Oklahoma 31 (Johnson 8). Assists -- Washburn 13 (Barrientos 6), Central Oklahoma 14 (Allen 4, Rayner 4). Turnovers -- Washburn 20, Central Oklahoma 15. Total fouls — Washburn 19, Newman 23. Fouled out -- Oliver, Cassaday, Littell.
