Media Information
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Topeka, Kan.
Arena: Lee Arena (3,904)
Television: None
Radio: 106.9 KTPK Topeka with Mark Elliott (pxp) and Bruce Steinbrock (color)
Live Stats: www.wusports.com
Audio Web Stream: Through wusports.com
Video Web Stream: Through wusports.com

Complete Game Notes

Lady Blues look to continue hot streak
The No. 7-ranked Lady Blues look to continue their current three-game winning streak as they host Pittsburg State on Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. in Lee Arena.
The last game out, Washburn built a big first half lead then held off the Missouri Southern Lions for a 75-71 win in Joplin on Saturday. Cassie Lombardino led WU with another 30-point performance as she poured in 30 points and grabbed eight boards.
The Lady Blues are led by three players averaging in double figures. Lombardino leads Washburn at 17.8 points per game. Stevi Schultz is averaging 14.2 per contest and Laura Kinderknecht is chipping in 10.9 per outing.
Washburn will face a Pittsburg State team that is coming off a 68-60 upset over No. 6 Emporia State on Saturday. The Gorillas have won two straight and four of their last five games.

Lady Blues on radio . . .
The Lady Blues game on Wednesday evening against Pittsburg State will be broadcast on 106.9 FM KTPK Topeka. Mark Elliott will be calling play-by-play action with Bruce Steinbrock providing the color-commentary. The games will also be streamed live online by clicking the live audio button under the Lady Blues Basketball tab on the Washburn Athletics web site at www.wusports.com.
The game will also be webcast through America One Networks. You can access the webcast by clicking on the B2/MIAA advertisement on the lower right side of the Washburn athletics web site main page at www.wuports.com

The Coaches . . .
Washburn head coach Ron McHenry has posted a 279-54 (.838) overall record and a 152-38 (.800) record in the MIAA with six MIAA regular season championships and the 2005 NCAA National Championship. McHenry has also led the Lady Blues to six MIAA Postseason Tournament titles, including six of the eight played in Kansas City. McHenry has the highest winning percentage (.836) 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 leads the country among active women's NCAA Division II Coaches in winning percentage. McHenry was named the MIAA's Coach of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2010 and the Division II Bulletin National Coach of the Year in 2005. (complete bio on page 6 of notes.)
Pittsburg State head coach Lane Lord, is in his fourth season leading the Gorilla program. Pittsburg State is 6-6 this season, including 4-4 in MIAA play. Lord's record at PSU and in his career is 50-46. Last season, the Tabor graduate led the Gorillas to a 14-14 overall record and a fourth place finish in the MIAA at 12-8.

Last time out for the Lady Blues . . .
January 8, 2011 - JOPLIN, Mo. -- The eighth-ranked Lady Blues built a big first half lead then held off Missouri Southern 75-71 behind 30 points from Cassie Lombardino at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.
Washburn (11-1, 7-1 MIAA) scored the first point of the game on a free throw from Lombardino a minute into the game, but the Lions (7-5, 5-3 MIAA) rattled off the next nine points to take a 9-1 lead with 17:28 to play in the half.
A 14-4 run over the next six and a half minutes gave Washburn the lead 15-13 with 10:45 remaining in the stanza. The game was tied at 15 when the Lady Blues went on a 16-3 run to take a 31-18 lead with 5:53 to play in the half. The lead was still 13 at the 4:33 mark, but Missouri Southern ended the half on a 16-4 run and Washburn's lead was just one, 37-36, at the half.
The Lady Blues were able to extend their lead to six in the early going of the second half, but the Lions kept pace. Threes by Stevi Schultz and Laura Kinderknecht pushed the lead back to seven with 6:42 to play in the game.
Four quick points brought MSSU to within three at 67-64 with 4:33 to play. A pair of free throws by Lombardino put WU back up five with just over three minutes to play. Two Lion free throws brought it back to a three-point game, but Lombardino answered with a bucket to put the Lady Blues back up by five with 30 seconds to play. A traditional three-point play by Kelby Fritz pulled MSSU to within a pair at 71-69, but the Lions could get no closer. Kinderknecht and Schultz both hit a pair from the charity stripe in the final 12 seconds to ice the game for Washburn.
Lombardino led Washburn with 30 points, her second straight 30-point performance. Kinderknecht finished with 15 points and four assists, while Schultz added 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Washburn shot 43.4 percent for the game, 23-of-53, and were 8-of-21 from beyond the arc for 38.1 percent. The Lady Blues were 21-of-25 from the foul line for 84 percent. Washburn also out-rebounded MSSU 37-31.
Erin Rice led Missouri Southern with 30 points and added nine rebounds. Jasmine Lovejoy finished with 18 points and added eight boards.
The Lions shot 48.3 percent for the game, 29-of-60, and were just 4-of-17 from three-point range for 23.5 percent. MSSU was 9-of-15 from the foul line for 60 percent.
Washburn is back in action on Wednesday night at home against Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m.

Notes from the win over Missouri Southern . . .
• Washburn improved to 7-1 in MIAA play for the second straight season
• Gave Washburn two straight wins over the Lions
• Cassie Lombardino topped the 30-point mark for the second straight game
• Lombardino's back-to-back 30-point performances were the most points scored in consecutive games since Corkey Stiger scored 31 points each against Emporia State and South Dakota to close out the 2007-08 season

Washburn/Pittsburg State series notes . . .
Washburn leads the overall series with Pittsburg State 46-26, including an 18-4 advantage during the Ron McHenry era. The teams have split the regular season series each of the past two years with each team winning on their own home floor. Washburn had won 16 straight games against PSU before falling in triple overtime in the second meeting of the 2008-09 season.

About Pittsburg State . . .
The Gorillas evened their record at 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the MIAA with a 68-60 upset win over No. 6 Emporia State last Saturday afternoon in Pittsburg.
Drew Roberts leads the team and is one of two players averaging in double figures at 12.4 points per game. Courtney Tate chips in 10.0 points per contest.  PSU is averaging 64.0 points per game and holding opponents to 63.0 points per contest. The Gorillas shooting 38.6 percent from the floor and they hold their opponents to 37.3 percent shooting, including 27.6 percent from behind the three-point line.
Kylee Baldetti leads Pitt State in rebounding at 7.0 boards per game, she also pours in 7.4 points per outing. The Gorillas get out-rebounded by four boards per game, 41.8-37.8.

Last Time out for Pittsburg State . . .
PSU Sports Info. - January 8, 2011 - PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The Gorilla women played tough hard-nosed basketball to hand the No. 6 Emporia State Lady Hornets their first MIAA loss of the 2010-11 season, 68-60, at John Lance Arena on Saturday (Jan. 8) afternoon.
There were four ties and five lead changes in the first half, but the Gorillas went on a 10-0 run late in the half and never looked back to even their record at 6-6 and 4-4 in league play, while moving Emporia State to 10-2 and 7-1  in the MIAA.
Down by one, 26-27, the Gorillas held Emporia State scoreless for the last 4:12 of the first half as four Gorillas poured in 10 points to take a 36-27 lead at the half. Though the Lady Hornets were able to decrease the lead to five  with 17:01 left in the game, Pitt State was able to build up a game-high 15-point lead with points by sophomore Lauren Brown at both the 12:54 and 12:13 marks.
Emporia State went on a run mid-second half, as it was able to hold Pitt State scoreless for over three minutes at cut the lead to three points, 54-51 with 7:43 remaining. Laura Glenn ended the scoreless streak for the Gorillas with a mid-range jumper. A traditional three-point play by ESU forward Alli Volkens left the Pitt State lead at just two, 58-56 with 6:13 remaining.
Pitt State was not going to let up, as Larissa Richards answered with a layup and drew a foul. Though she missed the free throw, tough Gorilla defense kept the lead at four until two Jocelyn Cummings free throws brought the Lady Hornets back within two with just over three minutes left. Alexa Bordewick threw in a three to stretch the Pitt State lead back to five. Volkens added another layup for ESU with 2:24 to go, but that would be the last PSU would hear from the Lady Hornets as the Gorillas scored the last five points of the game for the win.
Kylee Baldetti and Laura Glenn each led the Gorillas with 15 points. They along with Larissa Richards led the team with five rebounds a piece. Baldetti scored all 15 of her points on 6-for-9 shooting in the first half. Bordewick shot 3-for-6 from three-point range to add 11 points. Courtney Tate led Pitt State with five assists, while Laura Glenn added  four. Baldetti, Glenn and Tate each contributed three steals. Larissa Richards helped with four blocks on the afternoon.
Volkens led all players with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Rachel Hanf also contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jocelyn Cummings added 11 points. Pitt State was able to force 22 turnovers, while only turning the ball over 14 times themselves.
Pitt State's challenges don't get any less in the next week as the Gorillas travel to Washburn and Fort Hays State on Wednesday and Saturday.

Last Meeting Between Washburn and Pittsburg State . . .
February 20, 2010 - TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 13 ranked Washburn Lady Blues cruised to an 80-45 win over Pittsburg State on Senior Night at Lee Arena. Washburn held PSU to a season-low 45 points, including 13 in the first half
The Lady Blues will square off with Emporia State in the season finale on Wednesday night in Emporia. The winner of the game will claim the No. 1 seed in the MIAA tournament.
The Lady Blues (22-3, 16-3 MIAA) scored the first seven points of the game and grabbed a 10-point lead at 14-4 with 12:04 to play in the first half. The Gorillas (12-13, 10-8 MIAA) were able to rally to within four at 15-11 with 7:33 remaining in the period, but Washburn closed the stanza on a 9-2 run and led 24-13 at the break.
A 13-1 run to start the second half gave the Lady Blues a 37-14 lead with 16:36 remaining in the game. Pittsburg State cut the lead to 20 on a three at 37-17, but a 24-10 run put Washburn up 61-27 with 10:08 to play in the game. The Lady Blues extended their lead to as many as 41 at 73-32 with just over five to play and cruised to the 35-point win.
Hope Gregory led four Lady Blues in double figures with 16 points and eight rebounds. Dayna Rodriguez had 15 points and eight boards, while Laura Kinderknecht and Cassie Lombardino both chipped in 10 points, a career-high for Lombardino. The Lady Blues shot 48 percent from the field, 32-of-67, and were 6-of-18 from behind the three-point line. WU was 10-of-13 from the free throw line for 77 percent and out-rebounded the Gorillas 47-39. Washburn also held a 15-2 advantage in fast break points and the Lady Blues' bench outscored PSU's 34-12.
Nicole McCombs led PSU with 14 points and Maya Onikute had 11 as Pittsburg State shot 29 percent from the floor, 18-of-63, including 2-of-15 from beyond the arc.

A Win Would . . .
A win would make the Lady Blues 12-1 for the second time in three years ... give Washburn a 47-26 lead in the series with Pittsburg State ... give WU consecutive wins over the Gorillas ... give WU an 8-1 MIAA start for first time since the 2006-07 season ... give Washburn a 761-337 record in 42 years of basketball.

A Loss Would . . .
A loss would give the Lady Blues an 11-2 record for the first time since the 2007-08 season ... drop the Lady Blues to 7-2 in the MIAA for the second straight season ... pull PSU to within 46-27 in the overall series ... give Washburn a 760-338 record in 42 years of basketball.

Against Ranked Opponents . . .
The Lady Blues are 38-23 when facing a ranked opponent under Ron McHenry. Washburn was 2-1 against ranked competition last year. The Lady Blues are 11-5 against ranked teams over the past three seasons.

Lady Blues in The MIAA . . .
The Lady Blues are 152-38 (.800) under head coach Ron McHenry in MIAA games and 276-91 (.752) all-time in conference play.  

Lady Blues in Lee Arena . . .
In their 27th season in Lee Arena, the Lady Blues are 333-59 (.849) 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 47 straight regular season non-conference games in Lee Arena. The last home loss to a non-conference team in the regular season was to Missouri-St. Louis in a 59-51 setback on Dec. 30, 2000.
Washburn is 142-14 (.910) in home games under Ron McHenry. Five of the 14 losses came in his first year on the Lady Blues bench. In the last 10 seasons, Washburn is 134-9 (.937).

Lady Blues on the road . . .
The Lady Blues are 79-31 (.718) on the road under Ron McHenry, including 2-1 this season. Washburn's best road record under McHenry was 8-0 during the 2005-06 season. The Lady Blues were 10-1 on the road last season, including 9-1 during MIAA play.

Lady Blues History . . .
Washburn is 760-337 (.693 in 1,097 games) in its 42nd season of intercollegiate action. The Lady Blues have won seven MIAA regular season titles and eight MIAA postseason tournament championships since becoming eligible for conference championships in 1990-91.
Washburn in the National Poll . . .
Washburn moved up one spot to No. 7 in the latest WBCA USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll released on Tuesday
The Lady Blues were No. 10 in the final USA Today/ESPN Top 25 WBCA Coaches Poll of the 2009-10 season. Overall, Washburn has received votes in the last 143 consecutive polls and has been ranked in the top 25 in 127 consecutive polls, the longest active streak in NCAA-II.

Lombardino named MIAA Player of the Week . . .
Junior center Cassie Lombardino was named MIAA Player of the Week for her performance in two Washburn wins last week. She scored a career-high 35 points to go along with eight rebounds and two steals in the win over Southwest Baptist. She followed it up with 30 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the road win over Missouri Southern on Saturday. It was the most points scored by a Lady Blue in consecutive games since Corkey Stiger scored 31 points each in games against Emporia State and South Dakota during the 2007-08 season.

Blues Clues . . .
#1 • Naudia Campbell • C • 6-2 • Jr. • Scored 12 points with five rebounds in loss at Missouri Western
#4 • Lindy Arndt • G • 5-11 • Fr. • Hit two 3FG's in win over CSU Dominguez Hills
#5 • Laura Kinderknecht • G • 5-7 • So. • Made career-high five 3FG's in win over Central Missouri
#10 • Dana Channel • G •5-10 • Fr. • Scored four points in the win over Fort Hays State
#14 • Alyssa Mullen • F • 5-11 • Sr. • Scored career-high 17 points in the win over Northwest Missouri State
#15 • Sami McHenry • G • 5-8 • Fr. • Scored two points against Missouri Western
#20 • Dana Elliott • F • 5-11 • So. • Tied career-high with five points in just four minutes of action against Drury
#21 • Cassie Lombardino • C • 6-3 • Jr. • Her 35 points in win over Southwest Baptist was the fourth highest single-game total in school history
#22 • Megan Lassley • G • 5-4 • Jr. • Scored 15 points in first game as a Lady Blue
#24 • Ebonie Williams • G • 5-8 • Sr. • Will sit out the 2010-11 season after transferring from Seton Hall
#25 • Stevi Schultz • G • 5-9 • Jr. • Scored career-high 26 points to go along with 11 rebounds in the win over Fort Hays State
#32 • Sierra Moeller • F • 6-1 • Jr. • Suffered a season-ending injury in exhibition game at Kansas State
#33 • Amy Green • G • 5-10 • Jr. • Grabbed four boards in 13 minutes in first game for Washburn
#42 • Raychel Boling • F • 6-0 • Sr. • Grabbed career-high seven boards in season-opening win over Southwestern
#44 • Laura McMullin • F • 6-1 • So. • Scored five points and grabbed five rebounds in season-opening win over Southwestern

Tip-Ins . . .
• The Lady Blues are 5-6 in games played on January 12, including 2-1 under Ron McHenry. Washburn is 0-1 all-time against Pittsburg State on Jan. 12, a 69-59 loss during the 1979-80 season.

Up Next . . .
The Lady Blues travel to Emporia State on Saturday afternoon for the season's first installment of the Turnpike Tussle at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Cox 22 television. Washburn hosts Lincoln on Wednesday, January 19 to close out the first half of the MIAA schedule.

Time Change for Emporia State Game . . .
The Lady Blues game at Emporia State on Saturday, January 15 has been moved up to a 1:00 p.m. start due to the game being broadcast on Cox 22 television. The game had originally been slated to start at 5:30 p.m.