Complete Game Notes (pdf)
No. 7 Washburn (7-0, 1-0 MIAA) vs Missouri Southern (7-0, 1-0 MIAA)Saturday, December 6, 2014 • 5 p.m.
Lee Arena
Topeka, Kan.
Radio: 580 AM WIBW
WUSports.com/Live: Video | Audio | Stats
Micro-Blogging the Bods
The top two defenses in the MIAA will battle Saturday at 5 p.m. at Schendel Court in Lee Arena as seventh-ranked Washburn hosts Missouri Southern.
MSSU entered the week leading the NCAA and MIAA in scoring defense and Washburn was second in the league and sixth in the NCAA. The Lions allow 47.1 points a game and WU allows 52.7.
The Ichabods are seventh in this week's national poll. They were 18th last week and returned to the top 10 for the first time since the final week of 2012-13. MSSU is receiving votes.
The Bods improved to 7-0 with an 80-64 win Thursday over SBU.
Honor Duvall tied a career high with 22 points and 5 assists and she had nine rebounds, just missing her first double-double.
The Ichabods lead the series with MSSU 45-27 and are 29-9 at home against the Lions. MSSU won last year's meeting, 68-59 in Joplin.
Taylor Ignoto has scored in double figures in all seven games this year. She leads the team scoring 15.6 points a game. She was named MIAA player of the week after averaging 20.5 points a game and shooting 72 percent from the field last week.
Casyn Buchman is averaging 13.7 points a game and 5.9 rebounds a game.
Dana Channel leads the team with 6.9 rebounds a game.
The Bods entered the week third in the nation with a +20.5 rebounding margin, fifth holding opponents to .292 shooting and sixth holding opponents to just 50.8 points a game.
Ron McHenry is in his 15th season as coach. He has gone 365-82 since 2000 and has won eight MIAA titles with 12 NCAA tournament appearances. He coached the team to the 2004-05 national championship.
Pair of undefeateds and MIAA's top defenses battle Saturday in Lee ArenaTwo undefeated teams keeping opponents to nearly just 50 points a game will battle Saturday at 5 p.m. as seventh-ranked Washburn hosts Missouri Southern at Schendel Court in Lee Arena.
The games can be heard on 580 AM WIBW with Jake Lebahn and Pat Strathman calling the action. Links to free live video, audio and stats are available at wusports.com/live. Tickets can be purchased at wutickets.com, by calling 785-670-BODS or by visiting the Washburn ticket office in Petro Room 200 on the Washburn campus.
The Ichabods moved to 7-0 and 1-0 in the MIAA with an 80-64 win Thursday at home against Southwest Baptist.
Honor Duvall tied her career high with 22 points and five assists and she just missed her first double-double with nine rebounds. Washburn shot 50 percent or better for the third straight game and
Taylor Ignoto scored in double figures for the seventh straight time.
The Lions went 6-0, all at home, in non-conference play and then won their first MIAA game, 92-64 Thursday at Nebraska-Kearney.
The Ichabods lead the series against the Lions 45-27 but lost in Joplin last year in their only meeting. Washburn had won six straight in the series before that.
Pair of 20-point games helps Ignoto to MIAA athlete of the week honorSenior guard
Taylor Ignoto hit the 20-point mark twice last week and her quick starts in the Ichabods two games helped them to easy wins on the road. Ignoto averaged 20.5 points and shot 72 percent (13 of 18) from the field in the two games. She also made 6 of 10 3-point attempts and averaged 4.5 rebounds a game.
She helped WU jump out to quick leads in both games as she averaged 15.0 points a game in the first half alone in both games. She went 7 of 8 from the field at Oklahoma Christian Tuesday and made all three 3-pointers. She was 6 of 10 Saturday at Newman.
Ichabods near the top in several national and MIAA defensive categoriesThe Ichabods entered the fourth week of the season at or near the top in several MIAA and NCAA defensive categories. They were sixth in the nation and second in the MIAA in scoring defense allowing 50.8 points a game. Washburn was third in the country and first in the MIAA with a +20.5 rebounding margin. The Bods were fifth in the nation and first in the league allowing opponents to shoot just .292 from the field
Casyn Buchman was first in the MIAA and 32nd in the nation shooting .917 from the free throw line.
Taylor Ignoto is eighth in the conference scoring 16.5 points a game.
Junior achievementThe 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.
All four of Washburn's double-figure scorers from last year came from the group, as did the top three rebounders. At least one junior led the team in scoring every game and in rebounding in all but two games.
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.
Up next for WashburnWashburn will take next week off and then return to action December 15 at home against Southwestern. The Bods and Builders will meet for the ninth straight year and Washburn leads the series 12-3.
