Topeka, Kan. – The Missouri Southern women's basketball team put up a late rally but came just short, falling 56-49 to Washburn on the road inside Lee Arena.
 
Southern (4-5, 4-5 MIAA) was led offensively by senior Carley Turnbull who finished with 15 points and a season-high eight rebounds. Sophomore Madi Stokes had nine points and 10 rebounds while collecting two blocks. And freshman Kaitlin Hunnicutt and Biance Stocks both finished with seven points and connected on two from deep. 
 
Washburn (4-4, 4-4 MIAA) was led offensively by Abby Oliver as she finished with a career-high 19 points. Hunter Bentley chipped in with 15 points going 9-of-10 from the free throw line, and Nuria Barrientos had a double-double posting 12 points and 11 rebounds. 
 
Southern started the scoring and got off to a hot start as Turnbull connected on a jumper from a senior Megan Jackson assist. Turnbull hit another jumper to tie the score with 6:57 remaining in the quarter. 
 
Following a Ichabod 6-0 run, Stocks trimmed the lead to two (10-8) after knocking down a three off a Zoe Campbell feed with 3:34 remaining. Stocks closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating three to make it 15-12.
 
A three from Hunnicutt with 3:32 left in the first half set the Lions' in the lead (20-19), Turnbull would stretch the lead to 22-19 with free throws to cap off the 7-0 run with 3:05 left. 
 
Washburn utilized a 6-1 run to close out the third to stretch the lead to four (37-33). Turnbull got the Lions to within two (39-37) with 5:59 remaining in the fourth, the Ichabods responded with an 8-1 run and never relinquished the lead. 
 
The Lions connected on five threes compared to the Ichabods' zero, winning the rebounding battle 37-35 and getting more bench points, 21-3 as well. 
 
Southern will be back in action January 16 as the Lions travel to Emporia to take on the Hornets. Tip-off from White Auditorium is set for 1:30 pm.