TOPEKA, Kan. --- Washburn women's basketball continues its four-game home stand Friday evening as it hosts Rockhurst at Lee Arena at 7 pm. The Ichabods are coming off a record night in their home opener and enter the contest at 3-0.
SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Rockhurst comes to Topeka for just its second game of the season after downing Saint Mary (Kan.), 83-73 in the season opener. The Hawks outshot the Spires, .450-.406 from the field, while converting 5-of-15 (.333) from behind the arc. Madeline Ronshausen led the scoring for RU with 27 points, while Kaci German had 18 and Tracy Monahan finished with 15. Rockhurst controlled the glass in its opener outrebounding USM, 45-27, with German pulling down 11 boards. From the charity stripe, Rockhurst was 24-of-32 with three starters shooting 80 percent or better. Saint Mary forced 18 turnovers from RU including 13 steals.
Kaci German and the Jillian Myers are the returning starters from last season's team that went 18-10 overall and 11-7 in GLVC action. German finished the 2016-17 campaign second on the team in rebounding with 4.9/game while her 4.1 points/game was good for sixth on the team. Myers led the Hawks in rebounding, averaging 5.0 per game and finished third in scoring (8.8 ppg). Ronshausen finished last season with 7.1 points/game. The team is looking to fill the scoring void left by Mary Dineen (19.1 ppg) and Marisa Lowe (12.5)
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Washburn is 18-0 in home openers under head coach Ron McHenry with a 209-44 record at Lee Arena dating back to the 2000-01 campaign.
EARLY SUCCESS
Since taking the reins for the 2000-01 season Ron McHenry has put together 12 perfect Novembers, including a 6-0 mark during the 2014-15 season. Washburn has never loss more than two games during the opening month of the season and is 77-9 in November.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ichabods routed Nebraska Christian in their home opener on Wednesday setting a program record for most points scored (120) at Lee Arena while tying the program's mark for most points scored in a single-game. The 120-34 victory over NCC produced the third highest-margin of victory (+86) by the team as 16 Ichabods found their way into the scorebook. Starters Axelle Bernard (18), Mackenzie Loe (15) and Reagan Phelan (10) each tallied double-figure points while Olivia Montague (12) and Jordan Lenherr (8), Denesia Smith (8) and Lauren Richter (8) provided scoring from the bench.
THEY GOT HISTORY
Friday' match-up with the Hawks will be the 18th all-time meeting with Washburn leading the series,14-3. The Ichabods have won the last seven contest against Rockhurst including their recent meeting, 79-59, on Nov. 28, 2009. Washburn also boosts a 9-1 mark when hosting Rockhust.
ON THIS DATE
Washburn is 4-1 all-time when playing on Nov. 17. Friday's meeting will be the second time in program history that Rockhurst will face Washburn on that date with the first meeting occuring during the 2004-05 season opener.
FOLLOW THE BODS
Fans can follow the Ichabods all-season long by listening to KPTK 106.9 FM radio with Jake Lebahn and Dan Lucero calling the action. Live stats for all games will be made available, with conference contests being streamed through the MIAA Network. All links can be found on wusports.com/live or the women's schedule page.
NEW UNI... WHO DIS?
The Ichabods welcome 11 new players into the fold for the 2017-18 campaign including five transfers and six freshman. Transferring to Washburn for this season is Axelle Bernard (Sr./UTEP), Olivia Montague (Jr./Wisconsin-Parkside), Alexis McAfee (So./Wayne State, Neb.) along with Taylor Blue (Jr.) and Denesia Smith (Jr.) both from Pima CC (Ariz.). True freshman include Adyson Narber, Jordan Lenherr, Mackenzie Loe, Hunter Bentley, Katy Heger and Lauren Richter. Shambrey Budd (R-Jr.) will also be a part of this season's lineup after sitting out in 2016-17.
FAMILIAR FACES
Reagan Phelan is the lone returning starter from last season in which she started 28 of 29 and was third on the team in scoring with 11.2 points/game. The Holyrood, Kan., native also averaged 30.6 minutes as a freshman, shot .446 from the field while completing 74-of-94 (.787) attempts from the line. Makayla Vargo (Jr.) appeared in 26 games in 2016-17 coming off the bench to average 12.3 minutes/game and 2.7 points. Cara Donley also returns for her sophomore season after adding 1.4 points in her first go-around last season. Madison Vargo (R-So.) and Hayley Thompson (So.) will provide depth from the bench.
WASHBURN TRADITION
The 2017-18 campaign marks the 49th season of Washburn women's basketball. The program is 888-405-1 all-time, has seen 23 seasons with at least 20 wins, and 17 appearances NCAA Division II Tournament appearances with the 2004-05 team crowned as national champions. From Jan. 26, 2005 to Mar. 11, 2006, Washburn won 51 consecutive games. The streak is the longest in NCAA Division II and sixth all-time in NCAA history.
UP NEXT
Washburn will celebrate Turkey Day at home as it hosts the 2017 Parrish Hotels Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 24-25. The four team invitational will also include appearances from St. Cloud State (Minn.), Truman State and Newman. Washburn will face SCSU on Friday at 7 pm before wrapping up against former conference rival Truman State 3 pm Saturday. Tickets for the classic are available at the box office or by visiting wutickets.com.
