Jennies fall 80-73 in battle of top 20 teams

       In an early season battle of top 20 teams, the Central Missouri State University Jennies came up on the short end, as they fell 80-73 Saturday night at Washburn University. The Jennies (6-2, 0-1 MIAA) entered the game No. 19 in the WBCA Division II poll, while Washburn (7-0, 1-0 MIAA) is No. 1.

True to form the game was a battle with seven lead changes and three ties. Washburn carried a slim 37-35 lead into the intermission, despite being out-shot by CMSU. The Jens hit 48.1 percent from the floor, 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from three point range. The Lady Blues, though, matched Central Missouri’s 13 field goals, while canning one more three pointer and an extra free throw.

The Jens out-shot their host in the second half as well. But Washburn used the free throw line (19-of-21 vs. 13-of-18 for the Jennies), solid rebounding (20-to-16) and stiff defense (10 CMSU turnovers) to maintain the lead. The advantage, which Washburn held throughout the second half, got as large as 13, 72-59, with 2:50 left before the Jennies put on a late charge. In the end, though, the deficit was too large to overcome.

       Kara Rewerts paced four Jennies in double-figure scoring with 15 points. Cydney Franklin and Kim Battle each contributed 12 points and three steals, and Anna Rorvig tacked on 10. Ashley Millham had six assists and five rebounds, while Franklin had a team-leading six boards and a blocked shot (Battle had a pair of blocks).