Lady Blues claim sole possession of MIAA title with Senior Night victory

March 1, 2003
Box Score | Season Stats

TOPEKA — The No. 11 Washburn Lady Blues (24-3, 15-3 MIAA) claimed the MIAA title outright with a 61-55 win over Missouri Southern on Senior Night in Lee Arena. The title was the second for Washburn, which won the MIAA title in 1992-93 with a 31-1 and 16-0 MIAA record.

The Lady Blues took an early 20-11 lead on Carissa Goeglein's jumper with 8:57 left in the opening half. Southern responded and took its first lead at 34-32 on Carol Koenig's 3-pointer from the right wing as the buzzer sounded.

Southern extended the lead to as many as six points in the second half, before Washburn took the lead for good on Lora Westling's jumper with 10:51 left.

Westling led the Lady Blues with 13 points, while Carissa Goeglein posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Gosia Czarnecka added a season-high 10 points.

Washburn is the No. 1 seed in the Sonic MIAA Basketball Tournament March 6-9 in Kansas City, Mo. and will face No. 8 seed Truman State at 12 p.m. Thursday.