Topeka, Kan. – Emajin McCallop put on a show against her former team, but the Truman State women's basketball team fell to Washburn 68-52 on Monday evening at Lee Arena. Despite McCallop's game-high 24 points, the Bulldogs dropped to 4-6 on the season while the Ichabods improved to 7-3.
The game began as a back-and-forth affair with nine lead changes and three ties in the opening quarter. McCallop immediately made her presence felt against her former squad, scoring the Bulldogs' first basket and asserting herself early. Truman State briefly led 12-9 at the 3:01 mark of the first quarter after Katelyn Odem's fast break layup, capped by an 8-2 run that gave the Bulldogs their largest lead of the game at three points.
However, Washburn closed the first quarter strong. Aniah Wayne hit a three-pointer with 32 seconds remaining to give the Ichabods a 16-14 lead heading into the second period. The Bulldogs stayed close throughout the second quarter, with McCallop continuing her offensive onslaught. She drained a three-pointer at the 7:12 mark to pull Truman State within four at 21-17, and later Mallory Ott connected on a three-pointer to give Truman State a 25-24 lead with 2:18 left in the second quarter. McCallop added two free throws to extend the lead to 26-25 with 1:42 remaining. Washburn answered with a Madelyn Amekporfor layup to retake the lead at 27-26, but Braylee Rogers converted a fast break layup with 32 seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 28-27 halftime advantage.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point as Washburn seized control. The Ichabods outscored the Bulldogs 20-7 in the period, building their lead to as many as 16 points. Britany Kogbara and Amekporfor led the charge for Washburn, combining to dominate the paint. Truman State struggled offensively, shooting just 3-of-12 from the field in the quarter while committing 10 turnovers that Washburn converted into easy transition opportunities.
McCallop tried to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance in the fourth quarter, converting four free throws to reach her 24-point total. but the deficit proved too large to overcome. Kennedy Retherford provided a late spark off the bench with a three-pointer, and Neylan Vila Delicado added another triple in the final seconds, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. Washburn's balanced attack and efficient free throw shooting (9-of-11, 81.8%) down the stretch sealed the victory.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Category |
Truman State |
Washburn |
| Field Goals |
18-57 (31.6%) |
27-62 (43.5%) |
| Three-Pointers |
5-22 (22.7%) |
5-21 (23.8%) |
| Free Throws |
11-16 (68.8%) |
9-11 (81.8%) |
| Rebounds |
29 |
44 |
| Assists |
8 |
18 |
| Turnovers |
22 |
25 |
| Steals |
15 |
11 |
| Blocks |
3 |
2 |
| Points in Paint |
24 |
42 |
| Fast Break Points |
8 |
10 |
| Second Chance Points |
4 |
13 |
| Bench Points |
8 |
15 |
Truman State Statistical Leaders
Scoring:
Rebounding:
Assists:
Steals:
Blocks:
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will be back in Pershing Areana on Thursday to take on the defending GLVC champion Quincy Hawks. This game will be the annual field trip game with multiple elementary schools in the Northeast Missouri area in attendence. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 AM.
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