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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 19 Washburn uses
balanced attack to defeat Lions, 72-59 Joplin, Mo. -- Four players scored in double-figures to lead the No. 19-ranked Washburn Lady Blues to a 72-59 win over the Missouri Southern Lions in a matchup of the league's top two defensive squads Wednesday night (Feb. 6) at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Washburn's win means the two schools split the season series, as the Lions defeated the Lady Blues 69-61 one week ago (Jan. 30) for their first win in Topeka, Kan. since 1995. The Lions (15-5, 6-5 MIAA) led throughout much of the first half but the Lady Blues took control with a 22-6 run from the 3:14 point of the first half through the 15:09 mark of the second half. Renata Germano scored five points to lead a first-half ending 9-2 WU spurt that turned a three-point deficit into a 28-24 halftime advantage. The Lady Blues (16-4, 8-3 MIAA) opened the second-half on a 13-4 run and went ahead 41-28 on a trey by Amanda Holmes. Danielle DeVader did her best to keep the Lions in it by knocking down four three-pointers in the second half, including a pair that brought Southern to within single-digits. One trey cut the Washburn lead to 43-35 with 10:46 remaining. But Jessica Mainz hit a three and converted a three-point play as WU out-scored the Lions 8-3 over the next 3:21 to go back up 51-38. The Lions hit from long-range to come within 10 on three occasions after that, but each time they did the Lady Blues answered with a three of their own to hold off Southern. Fatai Hala'Api'Api made 11-of-13 from the free throw line to lead the Lions with a game-high 19. DeVader had a solid all-around game with 15 on 4-of-8 from three-point range and led the Lions with seven rebounds. Corkey Stiger led the Lady Blues with 17 and Mainz scored 15, including 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. Holmes scored 12 with a game-high eight boards and Janice Bright added 11. WU enjoyed a 39-32 edge in rebounds, but held a commanding 20-6 edge in offensive boards. The Lady Blues also had an 18-0 advantage in second-chance points. Southern held the Lady Blues to only 33.9 percent shooting (21-of-62) for the game. The Lions shot 43.6 percent (17-of-39) from the floor. The Lions will wrap up their three-game homestand by hosting the Fort Hays State Lady Tigers on Saturday night (Feb. 9) at 5:30 p.m. FHSU won the season's first meeting 70-59 back on Jan. 26 in Hays, Kan.
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