The Missouri Western women’s basketball team rallied from a 14-point second half deficit Saturday night but came up short of upsetting No. 8 Washburn, falling 78-71 in Topeka.

Washburn opened the second half with a 13-8 run that stretched their lead to 14 before the Griffons came firing back on hot shooting by LaQuinta Jefferson. The junior scored MWSU’s first seven points in the second half on her way to a game-high 25 points, 23 of which came after halftime. After falling behind by 14, MWSU used a 16-4 run to pull within two, tying the game with 1:08 remaining on two free throws from Jefferson. The Ichabods outscored MWSU 8-1 through the final minute to claim the victory.

Missouri Western shot 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from behind the arc and 61 percent at the free throw line. Washburn dominated inside, scoring 46 points in the paint to just 28 for the Griffons. The lead changed three times with Missouri Western’s largest lead coming early in the first half at five points.

Sarafina Handy added 16 points and Mhykeah Baez led the Griffons with nine rebounds and three blocked shots before fouling out.

Missouri Western travels to Nebraska-Kearney on Monday for a 5:30 PM tip and the game can be heard on 680 KFEQ or here on StJosephPost.com.

— MWSU Sports Information —