TOPEKA, Kan. --- After an eight-day break, Washburn will look to get back to winning form when it returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts Fort Hays State in the Ichabods' MIAA opener. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 pm.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
•  Fort Hays State is 7-0 overall, 2-0 in the conference play.
•  The Tigers are the fourth-best scoring offense in the MIAA and 35th in Division II, averaging 78.3 points/game.
•  FHSU defense is also among the nation's best as it ranks 10th in scoring margin (+26.0) while earning ninth in scoring defense (52.3 points/game) and opponent field-goal percentage (.318).
•  The Tigers are also among the country's best in protecting the ball topping the list turnovers per game (10.1) while sitting at 7th overall in turnover margin (+9.7) and assist-turnover ratio (1.39) while their 71 turnovers thus far is ninth-best on the fewest turnovers charts.
•  Tatyana Legette and Kacey Kennett are among the team leaders in most categories ... Legette paces FHSU in assists (3.3/game), field-goal shooting (.571), free throw shooting (.767), scoring (15.0/game), rebounds (9.3/game) and steals (3.0/game) ... Kennett meanwhile leads the Tigers in 3-pointers made (15) and shooting from distance (.333) while being listed second in scoring (14.7/game).
•  Fort Hays State finished last season 19-10 overall with a 12-6 mark in the conference.
•  The Tigers are under the direction of head coach Tony Hobson who is in his 10th season with the program and has complied a 179-85 in his previous nine seasons.

THEY GOT HISTORY
Wednesday's game will be the 79th meeting between the Ichabods and Tigers. Washburn leads the all-time series 46-32, with a 23-14 record at home but has lost the last five meetings. The series originated in Washburn's first season of competition during 1969-70 campaign, as Fort Hays State was the program's second game. 

FIVE GOOD MINUTES
In the last five minutes of games this season, Washburn has outscored opponents 89-57, while averaging 12.7 points during that stretch. The Ichabods are shooting .410 from the floor, .385 from long range and has converted 29-of-46 (.630) from the line. Opponents meanwhile are .364 from the field, .148 from three-point land and 13-of-28 (.464) from the charity stripe. 

STARTING FIVE
The Ichabods have three different starting lineups this season. As a group, Washburn starters average 52.1 points/game while outscoring opponents, 365-302. The starting five is shooting .440 from the floor, .358 from behind the arc and .702 from the line. 

A WIN...
...is better than a lose.
...pushes Washburn to 7-1 and gives Ron McHenry 413 career wins. 
...snaps FHSU five-game win streak against Washburn.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Under head coach Ron McHenry, Washburn is 211-44 all-time when playing at Lee Arena dating back to the 2000-01 campaign. Since opening prior to the start of the 1984-85 season, Washburn has complied an impressive 405-89 all-time record at Lee Arena.

ON THIS DATE
Washburn is 5-6 all-time when playing on Dec. 6. It's last contest on this date came during the 2013-13 season and was a 71-65 double overtime victory over Southwest Baptist.

MIAA OPENERS
Washburn is 19-9 all-time in conference openers with a 12-5 mark under head coach Ron McHenry. This is the third consecutive season the Ichabods have opened their league schedule with Fort Hays State. 

WEEKEND WRAP-UP
Washburn saw its six-game win streak come to end last Tuesday falling to Newman, 52-45. The Ichabods went into the halftime break leading by five (30-25) but completed just 5-of-27 attempts during the second allowing the Jets to outscore them, 27-15 during the final two periods. Axelle Bernard led the Ichabods with 14 points and five blocks while she, Taylor Blue and Alexis each pulled down six rebounds. Denesia Smith had a game-high four assists.  Washburn converted 7-of-16 (.438) from distance for the game.

FOLLOW THE BODS
Fans can follow the Ichabods all-season long by listening to Country 106.9 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.

MIAA PRESEASON POLL
Washburn was projected to finish eighth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll.  Central Missouri topped the listed with seven first-place votes. Last season's regular-season champion Pittsburg State garnered four first-place nods as it was placed second. Tournament champion Emporia State was picked third as it received two first-place votes. Central Oklahoma took fourth with one first-place vote, while Fort Hays State rounded out the top five. Missouri Western and Lindenwood were each predicted higher than the Ichabods, taking sixth and seventh respectively. Southwest Baptist and Nebraska-Kearney trailed accordingly with Missouri Southern at No. 11. Northwest Missouri landed at No. 12 with Northeastern State and Lincoln taking the final two spots.

WASHBURN TRADITION
The 2017-18 campaign marks the 49th season of Washburn women's basketball. The program is 880-392-1 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
The Ichabods will remain at Lee Arena Saturday as they welcome Nebraska-Kearney to town for a 5 pm tip-off. The first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a free t-shirt sponsored  by Stormont Vail Hospital. Fans are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy as representatives will be collecting donations for Toys to Tots. Tickets for the game are available by visiting wutickets.com or at the Washburn Athletics box office day of the event.