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By KYLE MANTHE

The Washburn Review

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After a 13-15 regular season Washburn University women’s basketball entered the MIAA tournament as the No. 9 seed, facing No. 8 Pittsburg State in the first round Wednesday.

A strong defensive effort and key shot-making from seniors propelled the Ichabods to a 59-53 win over the Gorillas at Municipal Auditorium.

“It was a big win for us because it would have been hard to put that much effort in the defensive end of the floor and have it not work out for you, but we hit enough shots down the stretch,” said Washburn coach Ron McHenry. “We will take this and try to enjoy it, its too hard to kick these out too fast.”

Senior Hunter Bentley scored 20 points to lead Washburn to a 59-53 win over Pittsburg State in the opening round of the MIAA women's tournament Wednesday. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]

After a 1-7 start to the season Washburn will play for a chance to get into the tournament semifinals.

“Getting off to 1-7 I laugh at myself … you can just destroy yourself at that point,” McHenry said. “We had to right ourselves against a really good conference … I figured with that group of seniors we had that they would find our way back.”

In round two it will be No. 1 Missouri Southern waiting for the Ichabods, who will play for a second straight da on Thursdayy.

“They are running on about 15 straight wins,” McHenry said. “They got some players so we will have our hands full.''

In the first quarter Washburn was dictating pace, slowing the game down and forcing Pitt State into tough looks late in the shot clock. The active defense led to a 5-15 shooting performance in the opening quarter for the Gorillas.

Offensively the Ichabods were efficient, with six players scoring in the first quarter as they shot 50 percent as a team to take a 16-15 lead into the second quarter. 

“We worked hard to get a team that will guard hard and have a toughness to it and that gives us a chance to win every game,” McHenry said. “It’s all a credit to them.”

Senior Hunter Bentley took over Washburn’s offensive attack in the second quarter, scoring seven points in the first 3:42 of the quarter. Her second 3-pointer of the game gave the Ichabods a 23-17 advantage and forced a timeout.

The lead grew to as many as 10 before Washburn’s offense went cold, allowing Pitt State to go on a 7-0 run. The lead was three at halftime, with the Ichabods in front, 29-26.

Baskets were hard to come by in the third quarter as each side traded scores. The Gorillas got to the free throw line, knocking down four in the quarter. Most of Washburn’s offense continued to come from Bentley.

“Just being confident (was important) and pulling the trigger when it’s open. If we aren’t taking our open shot then we might not get one at all,” Bentley said. “Coach Mac had confidence in me and my teammates have confidence in me.”

Two free throws by sophomore Macy Doebele in the final second of the quarter made it a 42-37 game heading into the fourth quarter.

The lead for the Ichabods was at seven with just under seven to play after a driving finish from senior Nuria Barrientos.

Both sides were shooting under 35 percent as the game moved into the final five minutes with Washburn possessing a 46-42 lead.

Senior Shae Sanchez scored seven straight points, the last three coming on a 3-pointer to put the Ichabods up by seven with 3:03 to play. Another basket by Sanchez with under two minutes to play, followed by a defensive stop and Washburn began to run clock.

“Just the confidence my team gives me (was important),” Sanchez said. “Really great defense leads to great offense.”

A 3-pointer for Pitt State along with missed free throws from the Ichabods left the door open with the Gorillas in possession of the ball and down by just four with 31.2 seconds left.

Washburn played strong defense forcing a turnover and after being fouled Barrientos knocked down two free throws putting the lead back at six.

That would be enough for the Ichabods to hold on, pulling off the upset and winning, 59-53.

Washburn advanced to the second round of the MIAA women's tournament with a 59-53 win over Pittsburg State on Wednesday. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]

“We will enjoy it for a second here, catch our breath and then get back after it,” McHenry said.

Bentley led Washburn with 20 points, while Sanchez added 13, including 10 in the fourth quarter. Barrientos had a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

After the win the Ichabods are 14-15 on the year and will play top-seeded Missouri Southern Thursday at noon.

WASHBURN WOMEN 59, PITT STATE 53

Washburn 16 13 12 17 -- 59

Pitt State 15 11 19 16 -- 53

Pitt State (16-13)

Johnson 2-4 0-0 4, Gegg 1-14 7-8 9, Jackson 5-14 0-0 11, Davis 2-7 1-2 7, Crain 1-7 2-2 4, Holmes 0-0 0-0 0, Gerber 3-7 0-0 6, Shipley 4-6 4-5 12. Totals: 18-59 14-17 53.

Washburn (14-15)

Sanchez 5-10 1-2 13, Oliver 3-7 0-0 6, Bentley 7-9 3-6 20, Barrientos 4-13 2-2 10, Doebele 2-7 4-4 8, Cassaday 1-4 0-0 2, Dewey 0-4 0-0 0, Willey 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 22-56 10-14 59.

3-point shots – Pitt State 3-17 (Gegg 0-5, Jackson 1-4, Davis 2-6, Crain 0-2). Washburn 5-12 (Sanchez 2-5, Bentley 3-5, Doebele 0-1, Willey 0-1). Rebounds – Pitt State 39 (Jackson 7), Washburn 39 (Barrientos 10). Assists – Pitt State 6 (Gegg 2), Washburn 4 (Dewey 2). Turnovers – Pitt State 10, Washburn 10. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None.