BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats pushed their second straight ranked opponent with a second half comeback, but fell short as the #9 Washburn Lady Blues held on for a 99-93 victory. Washburn would lead by as much as 20 in the second half, before SBU would trim the lead down. The Bearcats (7-16, 4-12 MIAA) would get as close as six points, behind nine second-half three pointers.

Mia Gilreath had a career high 19 points.

The Bearcats stayed close with the highly ranked visitors in the first half and trailed 47-42 at the break. Washburn (21-3, 14-3 MIAA) would open with a 20-6 run to start the second half before the Bearcats would stage another second half comeback.

In the last eight minutes of the game, the Bearcats would hit nine three-pointers including three each from Mia Gilreath, Rachel Graves and Courtney Heady. SBU would shoot 46% (12-for-26) from long range for the game.

"Our players played and competed hard. We shot well today against a great defensive team," said head coach J.C. Carter.

Gilreath led the Bearcats with a career high 19 points, one of five SBU players in double figures. Graves had 18 points, Courtney Creed and Heady each had 14 points and Jasmine Sanford had 12 for SBU. SBU also was 19 of 21 from the foul line.

Janice Bright led Washburn with 27 points. Washburn outrebounded SBU 34-19.

The Bearcats head to Hays, Kansas, to take on Fort Hays State in a 5:30 p.m. tipoff on Wednesday night. SBU won in Bolivar 65-63 on January 10.

Final Stats