The Griffons dominated the first half against the high powered Lady Blues squad. The score was only tied once at 2-2 at the 17:24 mark of the first half. Western would led the rest of the half with their biggest lead coming at 16 after an Alicia Bell layup with 3:33 to play in the frame.
Western held Washburn to just four points in the first ten minutes of the half and to 12 the rest of the way. Western had even scoring dumping in 16 points the first ten minutes and 17 the second ten minutes. Western led by 17 points at 33-16 heading to the locker room.
The Griffons scored 11 points off 12 Lady Blue turnovers and shot 54.5-percent (12-22) from the field and made 4-of-7 long range shots. Western had eight assists and seven steals. Jessica Koch and Lauren Nolke led the way with eight points. Rachel Luteyn and Nolke each recorded five rebounds in the half.
The Lady Blues were led by Naudi Campbell off the bench scoring six points while Alyssa Mullen snared six rebounds. Washburn made just 6-of-24 field goals and where 1-of-9 from long range.
Western continued the stellar play into the second half going on a 26-5 run opening up a 28 point second half lead. Washburn battled back cutting the Griffons lead to 16 with 3:06 to play in the contest but a Nolke long range bomb with 2:40 to play extended the Griffons lead to 19, sealing the victory.
The victory marked the Griffons first victory over the Lady Blues under head coach Lynn Plett. It also marked the first victory in the fieldhouse over the Lady Blues since January 30, 2002 when the Griffons won 72-64. Western had to vacate their victory on January 27, 2007 over the Lady Blues. Western improves to 4-0 at home and has won four of its games when leading at halftime this season.
The Griffons last victory over a ranked opponent came in Plett’s first season when the Griffons defeated the 16th ranked Missouri Southern Lions on January 5, 2008 by a score of 74-72 in Joplin, Mo.
The Griffons shot 45.1-percent (23-51) from the field and had 13 points on 21 Washburn turnovers. Western made 8-of-18 long range shots with Nolke leading the way with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. She connected on all four of her three point shots. Koch was the only other Griffon in double figures scoring 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Luteyn led the charge on the boards with six rebounds.
The Lady Blues were led by Stevi Schultz with 14 points while Campbell chipped in 12. Alyssa Mullen led all players with 10 rebounds.
The Griffons will be off for the Christmas holiday until Thursday, December 30 when they host non-conference opponent Newman University. Game time is set for 7:00 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse.
Missouri Western State University (located in St. Joseph, Mo.) is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
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