Lady Blues claim at least share of second MIAA title

Feb. 26, 2003
Box Score | Season Stats

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The No. 11 Washburn Lady Blues (23-3, 14-3 MIAA) claimed at least a share of their second MIAA title with a 70-55 win at Missouri Western Wednesday night. Emporia State (20-6, 13-4 MIAA) fell one game behind Washburn in the confence standings with a 60-50 loss at Northwest Missouri State.

The win snapped Washburn's 11-game losing streak to Missouri Western and gave Washburn at least a share of the MIAA crown. Washburn's only other MIAA title was during the 1992-93 season, when the Lady Blues went 31-1 and 16-0 in MIAA play.

The win was Washburn's seventh straight in MIAA play and first at MWSC Fieldhouse since Feb. 10, 1996.

The Lady Blues trailed 26-25, before closing the first half on a 9-0 that was capped by two layups by Alison Garrett to make it 34-26.

Nicole Lindsey made two free throws to pull Western within 46-44 with 9:55 left in the game, before Washburn went on another big run.

Crystal Walker capped a 13-0 run with a jumper after Carissa Goeglein canned two 3-pointers to give Washburn a 59-44 lead with 6:05 left. The Griffons got within nine points before the Lady Blues hit six straight free throws to ice the win.

The Lady Blues will now host Missouri Southern 5:30 Saturday in Lee Arena for senior night. The Lady Blues will honor five seniors and try to clinch the MIAA title outright. Washburn has already clinched 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. March 6.