Feb. 1, 2003
Bulldogs Snap Eight-Game Losing Streak With 76-71 Win over No. 5 Washburn Women
The Truman State University women's basketball team snapped an eight-game losing streak at home today, knocking off No. 5 Washburn, 76-71. It was the Bulldogs' first MIAA win since beating Central Missouri 80-76 in the conference opener back on Dec. 30.
Junior forward Annie Westhoff led all scorers with a career high 27 points, while two other 'Dogs, junior transfer Sarah Sommer and sophomore guard Kelli Floyd, also scored in double figures with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
The two teams battled through nine lead changes and seven tied scores in the first half with Truman scoring the last four points of the half on a free throw by Westhoff and a three-pointer by Floyd to take a 38-34 lead at the break. The biggest lead of the first half came at 9:24 when a jumper and free shot by Westhoff gave Truman a six-point margin over the Lady Blues.
The Bulldogs expanded their lead to seven after halftime when Westhoff hit a three-pointer less than a minute into the period. Washburn never regained the lead in the second stanza, but did manage to tie the score at 43 apiece at the 15-minute mark after a 9-2 run.
The 'Dogs took an 11-point lead with 8:36 to go after an 8-0 run that included threes by Sommer and Floyd, and ended on a jumper by sophomore center Jamie Huffman. Truman would reach double-digit leads three more times, the last time with 4:12 remaining. Truman made 9-of-12 free throws in the closing minutes to seal the win.
Both teams shot 42.6% from the field and Truman committed four more turnovers than WU (17-13), but the 'Dogs were 11-of-18 from three-point land, while the Lady Blues made 7-of-25 from beyond the arc. Floyd led the long range shooters with a 4-for-4 performance and Westhoff was 4-of-8 and Sommer was 3-of-4. Westhoff was 8-of-19 from the field and 7-of-9 from the line for the game.
Crystal Walker led the Lady Blues with 24 points.