Box Score | Season Stats | Photos

TOPEKA, Kan. – The No. 17 Washburn Lady Blues moved into sole possession of first place in the MIAA with two games to play and swept the regular season series with arch-rival Emporia State in a 78-52 win over the No. 18 ranked Lady Hornets. Washburn improves to 21-4 overall and takes a one-game lead over ESU and two-games over SBU entering the final week of the season. Washburn can clinch at least a share of the MIAA's regular season title with a win over Fort Hays State on Wednesday, Feb. 27 in Lee Arena. It will also be the final regular season home game for Washburn seniors Amanda Holmes and Corkey Stiger.
Washburn jumped out to a 40-21 lead at the break after holding the league's leading offensive team to 5 of 23 from the field while Washburn connected on 51 percent of their attempts hitting 16 of 31 led by Amanda Holmes' 11 points. Washburn outscored the Lady Hornets 28 to 6 in the paint in the first half.
In the second half, the Lady Blues kept the defensive pressure up by limiting ESU to 9 of 32 from the field scoring 31 points while Washburn put up 38 points leading to the 14-point win.
Holmes led the Lady Blues with 19 points and 10 rebounds recording her 15th double double of her career and her fifth of the season. Corkey Stiger scored 18. Also hitting double figures were Janice Bright with 13 on 6 of 8 shooting from the field and Jessica Mainz with 10 points.
Michelle Stueve led ESU with 11 points and Alli Volkens scored 10 off the bench for the Lady Hornets.

Notes: Washburn pulled within four games in the all-time series with ESU leading 39-35 … Washburn has won 15 of the last 20 games in the series … the win was the 300th in Lee Arena for the Lady Blues … Washburn is now 300-56 all-time in Lee Arena … Washburn outscored the Lady Hornets 42 to 14 in the paint … Amanda Holmes has averaged 4.8 assists per game in the last four … Jessica Mainz's seven rebounds tied a season high … Washburn is 62-2 when shooting at least 50 percent from the field … Washburn held ESU to 2 of 18 from 3-point range.