(TOPEKA, Kan.) – Sophomore guard Jenny Dorman had 13 points off the bench in 18 minutes of action, while junior guard Amy Galey distributed a game-high seven assists and pulled down a team-best six rebounds, but the No. 11 Washburn Lady Blues shot a blistering 78% in the second half to pull away and hand Truman a 74-56 loss on Saturday night.
WU (7-0, 3-0 MIAA) blitzed the Bulldogs (5-4, 1-2 MIAA) out the gate, jumping to a 15-5 lead at the first media timeout. As hot as the Lady Blues (5-for-5) were in the first five minutes in expanding the lead to 12, the Bulldogs were as ice cold, opening 0-for-6 before slowly crawling back into the game. After pulling to within two at 19-17 with 9:21 to play, Truman picked up the lead for the first time at the 6:53 mark on a three-pointer by senior guard Julie Guinn to take a 24-21 advantage.
However, both teams struggled to put points on the board the rest of the way, as Truman got just a three-pointer from Jenny Dorman over the final six minutes but went into the break trailing by only two at 29-27.
In the second half though, it was all Washburn, as the Lady Blues drained eight three-pointers to put the Bulldogs away. Amanda Fessenden finished with five treys – all coming in the final 20 minutes – as WU hit 10-of-18 as a team for the game.
Dorman (Pella, Iowa; Pella HS, Missouri S&T) converted on 4-of-6 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and added a pair of free throws to set a new career-high with 13 points. Sophomore Breanna Daniels (Ridgedale, Mo.; Hollister HS) started and scored nine, while freshman guard Becka McHenry (Fraser, Mich.; Fraser HS) tacked on seven off the bench.
Galey (Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Excelsior Springs HS, Highland CC), the MIAA’s assist leader entering the game, raised her season-average to 5.0 per game with seven on Saturday night. It was the fourth time this season she has given out at least six assists and is averaging more than seven per game over the last three contests.
The Bulldogs shot 38% (20-for-53) for the game but were helped by a 6-of-11 (55%) night from three-point range. The MIAA’s team-leader from the charity stripe, Truman drained 10-of-12 (83%) from the line on the night.
Meanwhile, WU used a 17-for-22 performance from the field in the second half to shoot 56% (28-for-50) for the game. The Lady Blues also won the rebound battle, 33-24 but fell victim to 18 turnovers to Truman’s 16.
Dayna Rodriguez led the Lady Blues with 19 points and six rebounds, with both Fessenden (15) and Hope Gregory (14) finishing in double-figures.
Truman will take the upcoming week off from games for finals before returning to the hardwood next Saturday (Dec. 19) for an out-of-conference game at Maryville (Mo.) University. The contest against the Saints will begin at 2:00 p.m. in St. Louis.
Courtesy: Truman State University
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