Complete Game Notes (pdf)
No. 8 Washburn (9-2) vs St. Mary (Kan.) (2-9)Wednesday, December 31 • 1:00 p.m.
Schendel Court in Lee Arena
Topeka, Kan.
Radio: 580 AM WIBW
WUSports.com/Live: Audio | Stats
Micro-Blogging the Bods
The eighth-ranked Ichabods (9-2, 2-2 MIAA) will end their 10-day holiday break on New Year's Eve with a 1 p.m. non-conference game against St. Mary (Kan.) at Schendel Court in Lee Arena.
Washburn last played USM in 2003-04 in a 68-point win for Washburn, the fourth highest margin of victory in school history. The game is one of 12 100-point games for Washburn.
WU is 2-0 all-time on New Year's Eve with the wins coming against Central Mo. in 2010 and 2011.
The Ichabods kept their opponent to under 30 percent shooting for the fourth time this year as Lincoln shot just .246 from the field Thursday in Washburn's 61-46 win.
The Ichabods jumped from 11th to eighth in the Dec. 16 national poll. Washburn is one of four MIAA teams ranked this week including No. 1 Emporia State and No. 5 Pittsburg State.
Taylor Ignoto has reached double figures in all 10 of her games. In fact, she's gotten to 10 points before halftime in four of her last six games.
Ignoto is first on the team averaging 16.2 points a game and she shoots 51 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. She was ninth in the MIAA in scoring in the latest report.
The Bods entered the final week before the break third in the nation with a +17.8 rebounding margin, fifth holding opponents to .320 shooting and ninth holding opponents to 54.4 points a game.
Casyn Buchman was 10th shooting .933 from the free throw line. She's 28-30 this year and her only two misses came November 22 when she was 8 of 10 against Drury. She's had five perfect games.
Ron McHenry is in his 15th season as coach. He has gone 367-83 since 2000 and has won eight MIAA titles with 12 NCAA tournament appearances. He coached the team to the 2004-05 national championship.
Start your New Year's Eve celebration with the Ichabods at Lee Arena against St. MaryThe eight-ranked Ichabods will kick off their New Year's Eve festivities with a 1 p.m. game December 31 at Schendel Court in Lee Arena against NAIA opponent St. Mary (Kan.).
The game is Washburn's final non-conference game of the regular season and it will end a 10-day break for the holiday.
Fans can hear the game on 580 AM WIBW with Jake Lebahn and Pat Strathman calling the action. Links to free live audio and stats are available at wusports.com/live.
The eighth-ranked Ichabods dropped to 9-2 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA when they lost, 70-64 December 20 at Lindenwood. Washburn led by two at the five-minute mark but gave up an 8-0 Lindenwood run the rest of the way to fall on the road for the first time this year.
St. Mary is 2-9 overall and is playing the game as an exhibition. The Spires last played on December 18 at South Dakota. They counted the game as an exhibition and lost by 64 points to the NCAA Division I Coyotes.
The Ichabods have one of the toughest defenses in the MIAA and country. They have kept opponents to under 50 points six times. their win December 18 at Lincoln was their fourth game keeping opponents to under .300 shooting.
Taylor Ignoto has scored in double figures in all 10 of her games and she leads the team with 16.2 points a game. She reached double figures before halftime in four of her last six games.
The Ichabods lead the series against St. Mary 2-1 and won the last contest by 68 points (106-38), the fourth biggest win in school history.
Ichabods near the top in several national and MIAA defensive categoriesThe Ichabods entered the final week before the break at or near the top in several MIAA and NCAA defensive categories. They were third in the nation and second in the MIAA with a +17.8 rebounding margin and fifth overall and second in the conference holding opponents to just .320 shooting from the field. The 54.4 points a game they were allowing was ninth overall. Washburn led the MIAA allowing just .248 shooting from 3-point range.
Casyn Buchman was first in the MIAA and 10th in the nation shooting .933 from the free throw line.
Honor Duvall was 24th in the country and third in the conference shooting .595 from the field.
Taylor Ignoto was ninth in the conference scoring 15.0 points a game.
New MIAA and NCAA statistic reports are expected before the December 31 game.
Coaches pick Bods third in MIAA preseason poll; WU earns three first-place votesThe Ichabods earned three first-place votes and were picked to finish third overall in the MIAA preseason coaches poll released October 22.
Washburn had 142 points in the poll while No. 2 Pittsburg State earned 153 points and five of the 14 first-place votes. Emporia State earned 160 points and five first-place votes and was picked to win the conference. Fort Hays State was picked fourth with the final first-place vote and defending champion Central Missouri was picked fifth.
Don't forget - Season highlights
Washburn's 93-35 win Nov. 16 against PR-Rio Piedras was the school's second largest against an NCAA school. The 62 rebounds was the largest against an NCAA school.
WU outscored Benedictine 48-4 in the paint on Nov. 18.
The Ichabods trailed nearly the entire second half Nov. 22 against Drury but
Casyn Buchman's free throw in the final seconds sent the game to overtime. She then scored 10 points in the overtime to help WU knock off then-No. 3 Drury, 87-79. She had a career-high 28 points.
Washburn was unranked in the USA Today Sports preseason poll but earned a No. 18 ranking in the first regular season poll of the year.
Taylor Ignoto averaged 20.5 points a game in road games Nov. 25 and 29 to help her earn MIAA player of the week. She shot 72 percent from the field.
The seven juniors on the 2013-14 team accounted for 81 percent of Washburn's scoring and 79 percent of Washburn's individual rebounding. Six of those seven juniors are back this year as seniors. At least one junior led the team in scoring every game last year and in rebounding in all but two games.
Up next for WashburnThe Ichabods will return to MIAA action January 3 with a 5 p.m. game against Missouri Western. They'll host Central Missouri January 5 and then play four straight on the road.
