Topeka Sun

Washburn freshmen shine in 73-59 win over Lincoln

Three Washburn freshmen finished in double-digit scoring for a combined 44 points as the Ichabods led from start to finish in the 73-59 win over Lincoln on Saturday afternoon. Washburn will play two road games next week at Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State.
 
The Ichabods (7-6, 3-4 MIAA) started the game hot, scoring on each of their first three possessions making 3-of-3 from the field. Washburn led by as many as seven midway through the frame before Lincoln (3-11, 1-7 MIAA) used a 6-0 run to make it a one point score at 10-9. Washburn created a little space again with a 4-0 run to end the quarter in front, 14-9.
 
Washburn increased its lead to double-digits in the second quarter as the Ichabods made 7-of-12 from the field including 5-of-7 from deep. Washburn held a 17-13 advantage when Gabi Artis sparked a 13-0 burst and scored the first seven of those points herself. Natalia Figueroa capped off that run with back-to-back three-pointers. At the break, the Ichabods led 35-24 and the Washburn freshmen trio of Artis, Figueroa, and Yiibari Nwidadah combined for 31 of the team's first half points. 
 
The Ichabod offense continued its success to start the second half and shot 53.9 percent from the field in the third and increased their lead to 18 points, 55-37, heading into the final quarter.
 
A made jumper by Aubree Dewey pushed Washburn's lead to a game-high 20 points early in the fourth. The Blue Tigers slowly cut away at the deficit and made 8-of-17 (47 percent) from the floor to pull within nine points with just under a minute left in regulation, but they would get no closer as the Ichabods scored seven of the final nine points of the game to close out the double-digit win.
 
Washburn finished the afternoon shooting a season-high 50 percent from the field while Lincoln shot at a 40 percent clip. From three-point range, the Ichabods were 6-of-14 and the Blue Tigers were 4-for-7. Washburn outrebounded Lincoln, 35-30. 
 
Four Ichabods finished in double figures with three of those being freshmen players setting new season-highs. Artis made 6-of-10 from the field to score a season-high 16 points while adding a team-best seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Figueroa also had a season-best 16 points and made 4-of-7 from deep. Nwidadah totaled 12 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes of play. Macy Doebele rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points, making all four of her shot attempts and all three of her free throws. 
 
There were also four players from Lincoln finished in double-figure scoring, led by Le'Yanna McGinnis' 15 points. She also led the team with eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. 

Original source can be found here.