#13 WASHBURN OVER POWERS SBU

February 11, 2004

Box

Amber Wheeler had her 17th career game in which she has scored 20 or more points.

TOPEKA, KAN. ... After cutting the lead to five at halftime, the Southwest Baptist University Lady Bearcats (13-9/5-8) could not keep up with the nationally ranked Washburn Lady Blues (19-33/10-3) in the second half as WU went on for a 82-59 win. Amber Wheeler led all scorers with 21 points.

In the first four minutes of the game, WU jumped out to a 15-2 lead and then made it a 14-point lead, 19-5, at the 14:52 mark. WIth 13:34 to go in the half, WU had a 22-9 lead. At this point, momentum switched and SBU took over. In the next 12 minutes, SBU put together a 20-7 run to tie the game at 29 with only 1:17 to go in the half. It was two Wheeler free throws that tied the game. WU then went on a 5-0 run to finish the half for a five-point lead, 34-29.

Wheeler cut the lead to three in the first 10 seconds of the second half on a quick layup but over the next four minutes WU had a 10-3 run to put their lead at 10 points, 44-34. SBU cut back into the lead at eight on two Gwyn Smith free throws. That was the last single digit lead that WU would have. Over the next five minutes, WU slowly took control of the game and by the 8:51 mark they had a 20-point lead, 65-45. SBU never recovered as the Lady Blues took the win.

SBU's Smith had her 11th double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

SBU only shot 34% from the floor and 26% from beyond the arc but only turned the ball over 14 times. They were out rebounded by the Lady Blues, 47-30. WU shot 44% from the floor and 31% from three-point range.

The Lady Bearcats will take on Missouri Southern on Saturday, February 14th, at 1:30 p.m. in Davison Field House.