Lady Blues reach MIAA Tourney final with 72-59 win over Lady Hornets

Feb. 27, 2002

After a cold-shooting start in the first half, Washburn caught fire in a 72-59 win over Emporia State in the MIAA Tournament semifinals Wednesday night in Lee Arena. The win snapped a 13-game MIAA Tournament winning streak for the Hornets, who won the previous four MIAA Tournament titles.

The win gave Washburn its first MIAA Tournament finals berth since March 4, 1995, when the Lady Blues lost 76-62 to Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. The Lady Griffons will also await Washburn in the finals in 2002 after topping Missouri Southern 80-45 in their semifinal game Wednesday night.

The Lady Blues got off to a rough start, trailing by as many as six points in three stretches in the first half by shooting 6-of-29 (20.7%) from the field.

Washburn responded in a big way, behind three-time MIAA Player of the Week foward Crystal Walker. Walker scored all her her 22 points on the night in the second half on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.

Carissa Goeglein's free throws with 9:51 to play capped a 13-2 run for the Lady Blues, who finished 29-of-44 from the foul line in the game. Their 44 free throws attempted was one shy of the school record. The Lady Blues shot 14-of-23 (60.9%) in the second half.

Walker finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Goeglein added 18 points and 10 rebounds to record her second career double-double. Nicole Patry countered with 28 points for the Lady Hornets. Washburn owned a comanding 49-24 rebounding edge in the game, including 17 offensive boards.

Washburn will meet Missouri Western 7 p.m. Friday night for the MIAA Tournament championship.