Washburn falls in 2OTs to arch-rival ESU

Jan. 7, 2004

Box Score

TOPEKA- The No. 5 Washburn Lady Blues fell 78-76 to No. 9 Emporia State in double overtime in Lee Arena Wednesday night.

After falling behind 9-4 early, Washburn responded to take a 22-13 lead on Montoya Whitfield's basket with 11:08 left in the opening half. Lora Westling, who had nine of her 13 points in the first half, hit a 3-pointer to put Washburn up by 11 before going into the half with a 40-31 lead.

The Lady Blues held off several ESU comeback attempts early in the second half and had a 59-53 lead with 4:42 left.

Emporia State pulled within 61-59 with 36 seconds left on Esmary Vargas-Sanchez's basket, before Nicole Patry got a steal and got fouled by April Roadhouse with 13 seconds left. Patry tied the score before both teams had turnovers to finish regulation with at 61 all .

Montoya Whitfield's layup with 50 seconds left put Washburn ahead by three, before Patry came through again with a big play. Patry knocked in her second 3-pointer of the night with 29 seconds left to send the game into a second overtime at 68.

The two squads traded baskets in the second overtime before Andi McAlexander gave ESU the lead for good at 77-74 on a 3-pointer with 1:24 left. Lora Westling pulled Washburn within 77-76 before the Lady Blues had a shot clock violation with 3.3 seconds left with a chance to take the lead.

Vargas-Sanchez had a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds for ESU, while Whitfield led WU with 17 points.

With the loss, Washburn fell to 11-1 and 2-1 in the MIAA, while Emporia State improved to 10-0 and 3-0 in the MIAA. The loss also snapped Washburn's 13-game home court winning streak.

The Lady Blues are back in action 1:30 Saturday night at Missouri Rolla.