The Missouri Western women’s basketball team did not make a field goal in the final 8:36 of the game falling 60-45 against the 6th ranked Washburn Lady Blues. The Griffons were held to their lowest point total of the year falling to 13-9 overall and 6-8 in MIAA play.
The Griffons played the high powered Lady Blues to a 9-8 lead with 14:56 to play in the first half. The Lady Blues Laura Kinderknecht hit three straight three’s giving Washburn a 17-9 lead with 11:22 to play.
The Griffons remained calm going on a 6-0 run cutting the lead to two after a KC Clouser layup with 8:48 to play in the first frame. The Lady Blues outscored the Griffosn by four the rest of the half taking a 29-23 halftime lead.
Washburn dominated the points in the paint 16-6 and had six more rebounds than the Griffons (25-19). MWSU shot 12 free throws but only made six in the half. Brittany Griswold was 2-for-3 from the field for seven points while Heather Howard had nine rebounds. The Griffons made just 8-of-25 field goals in the half.
The Lady Blues shot 36.4-percent (12-33) from the field and made 4-of-9 long range shots. Kinderknecht led the way with nine points while Sierra Moeller and Brittney Lynch had six boards.
The Griffons kept the game close up until the 8:36 mark of the second half. Lanicia Lawrence hit a jumper cutting the WU lead to 46-40 but the Griffons would be unable to score a field goal the rest of the way falling by 15.
Howard collected her 12th double-double of the season dumping 12 points and snaring 11 rebounds. the Griffons shot just 32.6-percent (15-46) from the field and 18.2-percent (2-11) from long range. They also struggled from the foul line making just 13-of-26 free throws.
The Lady Blues had three players in double figures with Kinderknecht leading the way with 16 points and five assists. Lavonda McCall had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Stormye Everett dumped in 10 points.
The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, February 20 with a road contest against rival Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. Game time is set for 5:30 pm in Bearcat Arena.
— MWSU Sports Information —