NCAA Postseason Media Guide

Road to Elite Eight begins in Canyon, Texas and opening round game with Angelo State . . . 
The No. 24 ranked Washburn Lady Blues will make their seventh straight NCAA tournament appearance and their 12th overall as they open the 2008 tournament in Canyon, Texas against Lone Star Conference member Angelo State. Washburn (23-6) will take on the 'Belles (23-8) for the second year in a row in the opening round. Washburn has won its last six NCAA first round games. A win over Angelo State would put the Lady Blues in the regional semifinals with the winner of the Central Oklahoma/St. Mary's game at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Quick Facts
Matchup: Washburn (23-6) vs Angelo State (23-8)
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Site: Canyon, Texas -- First United Bank Center (4,700)
Radio: AM580 WIBW / Topeka with play by play with Mark Elliott and Bruce Steinbrock
Online Audio: Through wusports.com (free)
Live Stats: Through gobuffsgo.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/08-ncaa-regional.html
Coaches: Washburn head coach Ron McHenry is 211-43 (.831) in his eighth season - McHenry is 3-0 against Angelo State.
ASU head coach Sally Walling Brooks is in her eighth season as the head coach of the Belles and has compiled a 179-63 mark at ASU and a 334-169 overall record in her 17th season. She is 0-3 against Washburn.
Rankings: Washburn is ranked No. 24 in the WBCA/USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.
Tournament Web Site: http://gobuffsgo.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/08-ncaa-regional.html
Series Record: Washburn leads the series 3-0.
Streaks: Washburn has won the last three in the series
Last Meeting: WU 74-54 on 3/9/07 in St. Joseph, Mo., in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
Last WU win: same
Last ASU win: n/a
Worth noting: Washburn has won their last six NCAA first round tournament games - 2 wins over ASU have come in the NCAA regionals - last season and on 3/12/05 in 2nd round in Springfield, Mo. (76-67)

Lady Blues on radio . . .
The Lady Blues game with Angelo State will be broadcast live on AM 580 WIBW with Mark Elliott calling the action and Bruce Steinbrock providing color commentary. The games will also be streamed live online by clicking the live audio button under Lady Blues Basketball on the WU web site at www.wusports.com.

The coaches . . .
Washburn head coach Ron McHenry has posted a 211-43 (.831) record overall and 112-30 (.789) record in the MIAA with five MIAA regular season championships and the 2005 NCAA National Championship.  McHenry has also led the Lady Blues to four MIAA Postseason Tournament titles including four of the six played in Kansas City. McHenry has the highest winning percentage (.833) in MIAA history of coaches who have at least 200 wins.
He was named the Lady Blues head coach prior to the 2000-01 season. He is second among active women's NCAA Division II Coaches in winning percentage. McHenry was named the MIAA's Coach of the Year in 2005 and in 2006 and the Division II Bulletin National Coach of the Year in 2005. (complete bio on page 2 of notes.)
Angelo State head coach Sally Walling Brooks is in her eighth season as the head coach of the Belles. At the helm of the Belles, Brooks has led ASU to a 179-63 mark, four LSC South Division (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005) titles and three LSC Tournament championships (2002, 2004, 2005). Prior to her arrival at ASU, Brooks led the University of Incarnate Word to a 155-106 record over a nine-year span. Overall, she is 334-169 in her 17th season as a head coach.
 
Last time out for the Lady Blues . . .
March 8, 2008 - Northwest Missouri 59, No. 20 Washburn 56 • KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Fifth-seeded Northwest Missouri State advanced to the MIAA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament final for the first time since 2004 by upsetting the top seed and three-time defending champion Washburn Lady Blues, 59-56, Saturday afternoon (March 8) at Municipal Auditorium. Northwest (16-13) will face third-seeded Southwest Baptist in the title game Sunday (March 9) at 1 p.m. It will be the first time since 1997 that neither Washburn or Emporia State has made the championship game in the MIAA postseason.
It was a tight game throughout, as neither team could get a lead of greater than five points in the first half. The Lady Blues (23-6) gained the early advantage, 11-6, with senior G Corkey Stiger scoring five of WU's first 11.
Northwest stormed back to score nine in a row -- four by senior C Mandi Schumacher -- to get a 15-11 advantage with 14:10 left in the opening half. Stiger tallied the next five and put the Lady Blues back in front less than a minute later.
After the two squads traded two-point buckets, Northwest junior G Meghan Brue drained a three-pointer with 11:31 to go and followed up with a two-point jumper to make it a 22-18 Bearcats lead at the 10:13 mark.
Seven straight Washburn points -- the last six coming from Stiger -- again gave the Lady Blues a three-point edge with 6:54 remaining, 25-22. Northwest would then hold Washburn without a field goal from that point forward -- the Lady Blues missed their last six shots and scored just a single point to six by the Bearcats as Northwest claimed a 28-26 halftime lead.
The Washburn drought extended into the second half, as the Bearcats scored the first five points out of the locker room to get their largest margin of the game, 33-26, with 19:11 remaining.
The Lady Blues came back to life with a 14-5 spurt to get a 40-38 lead with 14:25 left. Senior F Amanda Holmes scored five points in the run, including the tying three-pointer, while junior G Janice Bright had four points.
A three by Bright with 13:46 to go made it a 43-40 Washburn advantage before Northwest scored the next six points -- four on consecutive buckets by Schumacher -- to get its own three-point lead, 46-43.
Washburn knotted the score at 47-47 with 7:02 remaining on a Holmes jumper, but back-to-back treys from senior F Lauren Williams and senior G Kelli Nelson sent the Bearcats back to a six-point cushion.
Northwest led by seven with 22 seconds left before Washburn put on one last flurry. Holmes converted a three-point play to make it 57-53 at the 16-second mark. The Lady Blues were forced to foul, and sent Nelson to the line with 14 seconds on the clock -- she made 1-of-2 to get the margin to five.
Stiger -- held scoreless to that point in the second half after logging 16 in the first 20 minutes, drained a three-point goal to get the deficit to two with eight ticks left. WU then fouled to send Wiliams to the stripe with less than five seconds on the clock.
After missing her first shot, Williams made the second. Forced to go the length of the court for a game-tying shot, Washburn couldn't get a good look off before the horn sounded to deny the Lady Blues a shot at their fourth tournament championship in a row.
Schumacher led a balanced Bearcat assault with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Nelson and Williams each tallied 12 points while Brue added nine points.
Stiger led all scorers with 19 points to go with five assists for WU. Holmes scored 14 -- 10 in the second half -- with nine rebounds while Bright had 12 of her 14 points in the final 20 minutes.

Washburn/Angelo State series notes . . .
Friday's meeting is the fourth in the all-time series. The Lady Blues have a 3-0 series lead winning the previous meetings. The last two wins have been in the NCAA tournament. Washburn won last season 74-54 in the first round in St. Joseph, Mo. and the Lady Blues picked up a 76-67 win on March 12, 2005 in the second round of the 2005 NCAA South Central Regional Tournament in Springfield, Mo. The Lady Blues also won a 69-68 win over the Rambelles on Dec. 2, 2000 in a game also played in Springfield in the Drury Classic.
 
Last meeting between Washburn and Angelo State . . .
(March 9, 2007) ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The No. 5 Washburn Lady Blues opened the NCAA Tournament with a 74-54 win over Angelo State in the Missouri Western State University Fieldhouse.
The Lady Blues opened up a 20-4 lead to start the game and rolled to a 40-16 halftime lead as Washburn shot 54 percent in the first half hitting 14 of 26 attempts from the field including 5 of 12 from 3-point land. The Lady Blues held the Rambelles to 6 of 27 shooting (22 percent) including just one basket in their first 11 attempts from the field.
In the second half, Washburn was limited to 38 percent shooting down the stretch, but built its lead to as many as 30 in the second half.
Washburn was led by Brooke Ubelaker who scored 16 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range to lift her career scoring total to 1,807 points and become the fourth person in Lady Blues history to go over 1,800 for a career. Also reaching double figures were Amanda Holmes with 13, Corkey Stiger with 12 off the bench and Megan Sullivan with 10.
Britinee Davis led Angelo State with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
About Angelo State . . .
For the seventh consecutive season, the Angelo State women's basketball team (23-8) has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. With the selection to the 2008 NCAA DII event, the 'Belles have advanced to the national tournament eight times in school history, including the past seven years. ASU is just one of two teams from the region, along with Washburn, to make appearances in each of the past seven championships.
The 'Belles are 2-8 all-time in the national event, earning first-round victories in 2003 and 2005.
The 'Belles had four players recognized last week as the Lone Star Conference announced its All-South Division teams. Freshman guard Camille Perkins was chosen to the first team as well as named Freshman of the Year. Senior forward Kandra Lakey was honored as a second team performer for the third straight season. Junior center Nichelle Parks and sophomore forward Lindsey Leatherman were both honored as honorable mention selections.
ASU advanced to the LSC Tournament for the eighth consecutive season and made it to the league's semifi nals for the sixth time during that eight-year span. The 'Belles, the third seed out of the South Division, opened up the event on Thursday with a 53-46 win over Northeastern State. ASU then fell 67-55 to eventual champion West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon in the round of four. Sophomore forward Lindsey Leatherman was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 14.5 points and shooting 50 percent (12-of-24) in ASU's two games.

Last time out for the 'Belles . . .
(March 8, 2008) -- The Angelo State women's basketball team (23-8) was eliminated from the 2008 Lone Star Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon with a 67-55 loss to No. 15-ranked West Texas A&M.
The Lady Buffs (25-4) led wire-to-wire using a three-pointer by Holly Isaacs in the first minute of the game and never looked back. WTAMU held an eight-point lead, 30-22, at the break despite shooting just 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from the field.
ASU trimmed the deficit down to five points with 17:30 left in the contest with five straight points by sophomore Lindsey Leatherman on consecutive trips down the floor, cutting the lead to 34-29. However, the Lady Buffs would mount an 8-2 run over the next 2:33 to pull away. WTAMU extended its lead to as many as 16 points at one point and maintained at least an eight-point lead for the remainder of the contest.
Leatherman led four 'Belles in double digits with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including three three-pointers. Senior Kandra Lakey added 13 points, sophomore Tiffany Hardwell had 11 points and freshman Camille Perkins had 10 points. Leatherman and Hardwell each recorded a team-best six rebounds while junior Nichelle Parks led the 'Belles with four assists.
Perkins became the all-time scoring leader for freshmen in ASU history, now with 489 points in her debut season. Her total is currently the eighth-best single season in school history, passing Kim Moore's total of 480 points from her freshman season in 1999-2000.
The 'Belles shot 41.5 percent (17-of-41) for the game, dropping just their second contest (17-2) when shooting 40 percent or better. ASU shot 40 percent (4-of-10) from three-point range and hit 17-of-21 (81%) from the free-throw line.
The Lady Buffs got a game-high 25 points from Emily Brister, who led three WTAMU players in double figures. Brister hit 6-of-13 shots from the field and was 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. Isaacs and Courtney Lee each ended the game with 12 points. Brister, who was honored as the LSC South Division Player of the Year for the third straight season earlier this week, also hauled in a game-high nine rebounds and added four assists, four blocks and a steal.

Lady Blues player Notes . . .
#3 – Brette Ulsaker – G – Has hit 3 of 9 FT's in 1st half of games, 7 of 10 in 2nd half.
#4 – Amanda Holmes – F – Scored 13 points with seven rebounds in 2007 meeting with Angelo State.
#11 – Renata Germano – C – Scored four points in five minutes against Angelo State last season.
#13 – Jessica Mainz – G – The first woman to be receive MIAA MVP award in 2 different sports (Soccer).
#14 – Alyssa Mullen – F – Eight of 17 from the field in home games this season.
#20 – Hadleigh Meek – G – Has hit all four free throw attempts in MIAA play this season.
#21 – Corkey Stiger – G – 16th Lady Blue to score at least 500 points in a single season.
#23 – Jacki Tipping – G – All three rebounds this season have been offensive.
#24 – Karla Tailele – G – Missed both MIAA tournament games, questionable for NCAA tourney.
#30 – Kalee Silovsky – F – Has hit 4 of 9 3-point attempts in MIAA games this season.
#32 – Janice Bright – G – 62 of 76 (.816) from free throw line this season.
#33 – Hope Gregory – G – 42 of 120 rebounds have been offensive this season.
#44 – Emily Gibson – F – Will miss the remainder of the season - had back surgery on 2/28.
#50 – Regiane Araujo – C – Saw first action in six games (back) against Central Missouri.

Lady Blues in Lee Arena . . .
In their 24th season in Lee Arena, the Lady Blues are 301-56 (.842) overall at home. Washburn won their 300th game against Emporia State on Feb. 23, 2008.
The longest winning streak was 44 games from Dec. 1, 1990 to March 20, 1993.
The Lady Blues have won 35 straight regular season non-conference games in Lee Arena. The last defeat by a non-conference team in the regular season was to Missouri-St. Louis in a 59-51 setback on Dec. 30, 2000.
Washburn is 110-11 (.909) in home games under Ron McHenry. Five of the 11 losses came in his first year on the Lady Blues bench. In the last seven seasons, Washburn is 102-6 (.944).

Lady Blues history . . .
Washburn is 694-326 (.681 in 1,020 games) in its 38th season of intercollegiate action.

WU in the national poll . . .
(March 11) The Washburn Lady Blues dropped to No. 24 in the latest USA Today/ESPN Top 25 WBCA Coaches Poll. Overall, Washburn has received votes in the last 109 consecutive polls and has been in the top 25 in 93 consecutive polls. Washburn was ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll which was released on Oct. 31. The Lady Blues were ranked No. 8 in the final poll of the 2007-08 season after finishing with a 29-4 overall record.

Lady Blues Individual Tip Ins . . .
• Corkey Stiger moved into third all-time at Washburn in 3-pointers and she needs 20 more to move into the top three at all-time at Washburn.
• Stiger's 381 career 3-point attempts is fourth all-time.
• Stiger's 229 3-point attempts this season is the highest total on the single-season chart breaking the record of 228 set by Brooke Ubelaker last season.
• Stiger needs 52 points to become the third Lady Blue to reach at least 1,000 points in a two-year career at Washburn joining Jennifer Harris (1,314 points in 69 games) and Kelly Jennings (1,090 in 53 games).
• Stiger's 78 3-pointers this season is 15 shy of Ubelaker's record of 92 set last season.
• Amanda Holmes is ninth all-time with 264 free throws made and eight in free throw attempts with 392. She needs four more makes to move into eight place and eight more makes to move into seventh.
• Holmes is 11th all-time in rebounds at Washburn with 621. She needs 17 more to move into the top 10 all-time.
• Holmes' 113 career blocked shots is third all-time at Washburn needing four to move into sole possession of second place.
• Holmes became only the fourth Lady Blues to record at least 800 points, 500 rebounds, 100 steals and 100 blocks joining Jannica Beam, Laura Mueller and Brenda Shaffer-Dahl.
• Corkey Stiger has averaged 18.3 ppg in the six losses for the Lady Blues. She is the only Washburn player averaging double figures in the four losses. The next highest scorer is Amanda Holmes with 9.3 ppg.

Lady Blues team tip Ins . . .
• The Lady Blues have held their opponents under 100 points in 279 consecutive games.
• The Washburn bench is outscoring their opponents bench this season 539 to 445. However in the last five games, the Washburn reserves have been outscored 75 to 26.
• In the last five minutes of games, Washburn is being outscored by their opponents 324 to 311.
• The 202 3-pointers made by the Lady Blues this season is fifth on the all-time chart. The team single-season record is 253 set last season.
• The 615 3-point attempts is third on the single-season chart this season. The school record is 732 set during the 2004-05 season when the Lady Blues won the NCAA title.

2008 Washburn postseason honors . . .
All-MIAA Team
  Corkey Stiger - Unanimous First team all-MIAA
  Jessica Mainz - Unanimous all-defensive team; MIAA's Defensive Player of the Year
  Amanda Holmes - Second Team all-MIAA

MIAA all-tournament team
  Corkey Stiger
  Amanda Holmes

WBCA Regional All-American Finalist
  Corkey Stiger

Daktronics all-South Central Regional team
  Corkey Stiger

Lady Blues in the NCAA tournament notes . . .
• The Lady Blues are 20-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
• Washburn is 5-1 in their first round NCAA Tournament games under head coach Ron McHenry.
• The Lady Blues are 8-3 against teams from the Lone Star Conference in the NCAA Tournament. They are 4-1 against West Texas A&M, 0-1 against Southeastern Oklahoma, 1-0 against Abilene Christian, 2-0 against Angelo State and 1-0 against Midwestern State and 0-1 against Texas A&M-Commerce.
• Washburn has never played an NCAA Tournament game in Texas.
• Washburn has been in 12 NCAA Tournaments with seven straight counting this year's tournament.
• Washburn has made five Elite Eight (1992, 1993, 1994, 2003, 2005)
• Washburn has reached two Final Fours (1993, 2005)
• Washburn won the 2005 NCAA Championships.
• All-time in the first round, Washburn is 9-3 winning their last five games.
• The last opening round loss was to Southeastern Oklahoma on March 7, 2002 in a 63-50 defeat in St. Joseph.

NCAA Tournament Schedule . . .
Friday, March 14
Game #1 - No. 3 Central Oklahoma vs. No. 6 St. Mary's - 1 p.m.
Game #2 - No. 2 Washburn vs. No. 7 Angelo State - 3 p.m.
Game #3 - No. 4 Emporia State vs. No. 5 Southwest Baptist - 6 p.m.
Game #4 - No. 1 West Texas A&M vs. No. 8 Northwest Missouri State - 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 15
Game #5 - Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #2 - 6 p.m.
Game #6 - Winner Game #3 vs. Winner Game #4 - 8 p.m.

Monday, March 17
South Central Region Championship Game - Winner Game #5 vs. Winner Game #6 - 7 p.m.