Box Score
TOPEKA, Kan. – Megan Sharpe's jumper at the buzzer lifted the Truman Women's basketball team to a 68-66 victory over #15 Washburn University (Kan.). It was Truman's first win in Topeka since 1979 and broke the Lady Blues 18-game winning streak over the Bulldogs.
With the score knotted at 66 apiece and 16 seconds showing on the clock, Truman's Jennifer Conway (Waterloo, Ill., Waterloo) missed the first attempt but Nicole Gloor (Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley) got the offensive rebound on a tie-up to set up an inbounds play. Breanna Daniels (Ridgedale, Mo., Hollister) found Sharpe (Edwardsville, Ill., Edwardsville), and the two-sport standout, buried the jumper to give the Bulldogs (8-1; 3-1 MIAA) their second win over a ranked team this season.
A 16-3 run by the Lady Blues (9-3; 2-1 MIAA) midway through the first half appeared to follow the same script that had haunted the Bulldogs in Topeka over the past 24 games. Washburn led by 14 before the resilient Bulldogs closed the first frame by outscoring the Lady Blues 17-10 to trail by seven at the break.
The Bulldogs sent their own message as Gloor started a 7-0 run with a three-pointer and Daniels finished the run to tie the game at 49 apiece with 12:31 to play.
From there it turned into a slugfest with nine ties as the two teams battled down the stretch.
Daniels gave Truman their largest lead with a three-pointer with 3:54 left but Sierra Moeller and Stevi Schultz scored to tie the game with 2:29 left.
The teams traded empty possessions until Schultz fouled Becka McHenry (Fraser, Mich., Fraser) following a rebound and the junior dropped in both free throws to give Truman the lead with 56 seconds showing.
Moeller then scored her 12th point of the game to tighten things back up with 29 left to set up the late game dramatics.
Conway led Truman with 18 points while Gloor and Daniels each finished with a dozen. Truman shot just 39% from the field but turned the ball over just eight times to 17 for the Lady Blues.
Cassie Lombardino led Washburn with 16 points as the Lady Blues shot nearly 60% from the field.
The win was Truman's first over Washburn since February 3, 2003, a span of 18 games and first win in Topeka since the series began on November 15, 1979, a 24-game stretch.
The Bulldogs will next be in action next Saturday when they will travel to Emporia State University. Game time against the Lady Hornets is slated for 2:30 p.m.
