A tall task is once again in order as the Truman women’s basketball team will be looking for their third straight home win, a fourth win against a ranked team this season and an unprecedented season sweep as they host #14 Washburn Lady Blues on Wednesday night in Pershing Arena.
The Bulldogs (11-7; 6-7 MIAA) rode the momentum of three straight three-pointers early in the second half to throttle #17 Emporia State (Kan.) on Saturday 78-60.
It was the largest margin of victory, broke an eight-game losing streak and was the first win at home since 2002 against ESU.
Junior Jennifer Conway and sophomore Nicole Gloor each had 17 points while consecutive three-pointers by senior Breanna Daniels, freshman Allie Norton and junior Becka McHenry broke a three-point game open to a 12 point game in a matter of two minutes on Saturday.
Conway averaged 20 points and eight rebounds last week while adding eight blocked shots. McHenry, coming off the team’s first triple-double in nearly 14 years, averaged 13 points with 5.5 rebounds and nine assists.
Washburn (18-3; 11-1 MIAA) has not lost since dropping a 68-66 game in Topeka to the Bulldogs back on December 10th.
The Lady Blues have won nine straight, by an average margin of victory of 15.8 points but only defeated Missouri Western on Saturday by five, 60-55.
Ebonie Williams had 19 points in the win as the Griffons kept the Lady Blues from building a double-digit lead in the contest. Williams averaged 20 last week and leads the team at 14.4 points per game while shooting 52% from the field.
Statistically, both teams average offensively over 70 points per game while giving up under 60. The Lady Blues are allowing just 54 points a game while Truman is allowing 59.7.
Washburn has better shooting percentages 46% to 41% overall and 39% to 36% from three. They, as the Bulldogs, have been the number one three-point shooting team in Division II during the season.
Junior Megan Sharpe’s offensive rebound and put back as time expired broke a long drought against the Lady Blues back on December 10th in Topeka.
Sharpe’s basket gave Truman a 68-66 win that gave the Bulldogs their first win in the series since 2003 and first win on the road since 1979.
The Bulldogs trailed by 14 in the first half but fought back early in the second to tie the game at 49 apiece.
Washburn has not been swept in a regular season series in conference play since Missouri Western won both games during the 2006-07 season.
This will also be the 100th game for the Bulldogs under Coach Michael Smith (42-57) and the 100th game for senior Breanna Daniels.
Courtesy Truman State University
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