Walker nets 1000th career point and leads Lady Blues to comeback victory

Jan. 18, 2003
Box Score | Season Stats

TOPEKA - The No. 4 Washburn Lady Blues improved to 15-0 and 6-0 in MIAA play with a 59-53 comeback victory over Central Missouri State Saturday night. Senior Crystal Walker had 22 of her game-high 24 points in the second half to help Washburn erase a 12-point deficit in the second half. Washburn finished the game on a 28-10 run after trailing 43-31 with 13:30 left. The win extended Washburn's home court winning streak to 19 games.

Walker netted her 1000th point on a free throw with 10:46 in the opening half and made a second charity for her only two point in the first half, as the Lady Blues struggled and trailed 27-22 at the half.

The Jennies stretched the lead to 43-31 with 13:30 left in the game on Jena Shackelford's 3-pointer, before Walker rallied the Lady Blues.

Walker scored 11 points over the next five minutes and pulled Washburn within two and later gave Washburn its first lead in the second half with two free throws with 1:31 left in the game. Bethany McGraw hit two free throws and Walker hit four more charity tosses to seal the win.

Washburn outscored the Jennies 28-10 in the final 13:30 and held CMSU scoreless over the final 5:23 of the ballgame. Walker was 7 of 8 from the field and 8 of 9 from the foul line in the second half.

The Lady Blues will be back in action at Emporia State Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. Washburn is one game ahead of ESU in the MIAA standings after the Hornets fell 67-56 at Missouri Southern Saturday to fall to 12-3 and 5-1 in the MIAA.