Fast Start Propels Ichabods Over Bronchos

Fueled by four double-figure scorers, the Washburn Ichabods snapped a four-game skid against Central Oklahoma while winning their third consecutive game on Saturday with a 74-53 decision at Lee Arena.

Washburn (17-7, 12-3 MIAA) never trailed in the contest as it shot an efficient .492-clip from the field, converting on 30-of-61 attempts, including 12-of-28 from three-point distance, good for a .429-clip. The Bronchos (15-10, 6-8 MIAA) meanwhile were held to 16-of-44 shooting with 4-of-17 from deep.

The Ichabod offense was paced by Taylor Blue and Hunter Bentley as each tallied 21 points, while Reagan Phelan and Alexis McAfee chipped in with 13 and 10, respectively. Nicole Murugarren lead the rebounding efforts, pulling down 10 of the Washburn’s 42 boards.

Back-to-back triples from Taylor Bluehelped Washburn sprint out to a 6-0 lead early in the first, before consecutive threes from Hunter Bentley and Alexis McAfee stretched the run to 12-0.

The Ichabods were 5-of-10 from outside the arc and 8-of-19 from the floor during the opening period as it claimed a 21-6 lead. Washburn lead by as much as 20 midway through second frame before taking a 37-23 lead into the break.

The third period was all Central Oklahoma as Washburn struggled to find the bottom of the, shooting 5-for-14 from the field. The Broncho offense heated up quickly, opening the third period with an 8-3 run, before eventually trimming the margin to 47-37. UCO continued to rally late converting 4-of-4 from the line as it trimmed the margin to single-digits, by ending the third on a 6-2 run.

Leading 49-43, the Ichabod opened the fourth with a 10-2 run. Murugarren lead the way netting five points as the Ichabods were 4-for-5 shooting during the run. Washburn converted 10-of-13 attempts in the fourth, with 4-of-5 from long range, while the defense suffocated UCO’s hopes of a comeback by limiting the Bronchos to 2-for-11 shooting.

Washburn returns to action next week with its final mini road trip of the season as its slated to visit Lindenwood on Thursday and Lincoln on Saturday.