By MATT PIKE
The Missouri Western State University women picked up their MIAA conference win with a 75-67 victory over Washburn at the Looney Complex.
The Griffons, who have now won eight of their last nine games against Washburn since 2022, got down 28-23 late in the first quarter, but responded with a strong defensive effort in the second quarter, MoWest outscoring Washburn 18-10 in the frame and holding the Ichabods to just 2-of-10 shooting, taking a 44-38 lead by the halftime braeak.
The second half was all MoWest as the women never falterd, leading by as many as 15 points with 6:02 remaining in the third quarter. Washburn did get the deficit to within nine points twice after that, but never got closer. The Ichabods were just 10-of-35 from the field over the last three quarters combined, and just 1-of-8 from three-point range in that time as well.
It was also a defensive showcase as the Griffons forced 26 turnovers, scoring 21 points off of them, with MoWest recording a season best 17 steals in the matchup. Washburn was limited to 20-of-54 shooting, going just 5-of-15 from beyond the arc.
Ana Oliveira Dias and Nakiya Harris led MoWest with 16 points each. Dias also recording eight steals and eight assists. Mia Morel chipped in 12 points, while Lindsey Kelderman and LaNicia Parker each had 10 points in the effort to round out the double digit scoring.
The MoWest men meanwhile fell to the nation's top-ranked team in the undefeated Ichabods 87-75 at the Looney Complex.
Washburn came out firing in the opening half, shooting 65.5% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range, pouring in 48 points before the break as the Griffons had difficulty establishing an offensive flow, managing just 25.0% shooting through the first 20 minutes, and the Ichabods took a 48–29 advantage into the halftime break.
The second was a different story for MoWest however, as the Griffons found a better rhythm offensively, trimming the deficit to 53–39 with 15:54 remaining, but Washburn's advantage proved too large to overcome despite the Griffons outscoring the Ichabods 46–39 after the break. MoWest finished the game shooting 38.7% from the field and the Griffons connected on 21.4% from beyond the arc.
Noah King led the Griffons with 14 points. Bode Goodman and Devin Butler each followed with 12 points, while William Kiburis chipped in 11 points to round out the double digit efforts.
MoWest continues their four game homestand on Saturday, hosting Central Missouri. The women tipoff at 1:30, while the men tipoff at 3:30pm following. It will also be Griffon Basketball Alumni Night, with several former Griffons in attendance.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.