Lady Blues winning streak snapped in MIAA Championship game

March 1, 2002

The Washburn Lady Blues saw their MIAA Tournament Championship hopes fall and their 10-game winning streak end as they fell to No. 1 Missouri Western 54-51 Friday night.

The Lady Blues (23-6) opened up the game scoring the first nine points, but after holding the Griffons (27-2) without a field goal for the first 8:46 minutes of the game, Missouri Western went on an 11-0 run to take the lead. Both teams would trade baskets the rest of the first half with the Griffons taking a 23-22 lead into the break.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half shooting 8 of 29 for the Lady Blues and 8 of 30 for the Griffons. In the second half, the Griffons would open a 34-27 lead, but the Lady Blues would battle back to cut the lead to one with 8:51 remaining. The Lady Blues would tie it at 39 with 8:08 left, but the Griffons would go on an 8-1 run to build the lead back to seven.

A Crystal Walker jumper with 1:32 left cut the lead back to 52-49. After a pair of free throws, the Griffons were up by five. Kristy Chapman hit an 18-footer to cut the lead back to three, but a Griffon steal on the Lady Blues' last possession sealed the game.

Walker led the Lady Blues with 14 points. Carissa Goeglein had 11 with nine rebounds.

Now the Lady Blues must wait unitl Sunday night to find out their seed in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament pairings that will be announced. Be sure to check the Washburn Athletic Web Site Sunday night to find out when and where the Lady Blues will be playing.