TOPEKA, Kan. --- Washburn (13-4, 5-3 MIAA) seeks to stretch its road win streak to four games, Saturday when it visits Pittsburg State at John Lance Arena with tip-off slated for 1:30 pm.

FOLLOW THE BODS
Jake Lebahn (play-by-play) and Dan Lucero (analyst) will call the action and can be heard on the MIAA Network and Country 106.9 FM. Links for stats, video and radio can be found at wusports.com/live or the women's basketball schedule page.

A WASHBURN WIN...
• is better than a lose.
• improves its record to 14-4 overall, 6-3 in the MIAA.
• moves the Ichabods to 4-1 on road this season.
• gives head coach Ron McHenry career win No. 419, making him 12 shy of tying Patty Dick for the program-record in career wins (431).

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY?
• The Ichabods are holding MIAA opponents to around 62 points per contest (62.2) and .317 shooting from three-point range.
• After opening the season with .678 shooting from the line through the first seven games, Washburn has raised its free throw percentage to .792 in eight MIAA games making 103 of 130 attempts.
• Phelan is WU's leading scorer in MIAA play, averaging 18.4 points/game, while shooting .443 (47-106) on FGs, .443 (14-30) on 3FG, and .907 (39-43) on FTs.
• In the last five games, Phelan has made 27 of 29 (.931) from the line and is averaging 3.6 steals/game.
• Alexis McAfee has made 19 of 21 free throws (.905) against MIAA opponents and 15 for 17 (.882) in the last five games. 
• Axelle Bernard is averaging a team-best 8.6 rebounds in the last five games alongside 8.4 ppg, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks.
• In its four MIAA games since the holiday break, Washburn holds a good margin over opponents in points in the paint (116-94) and second-chance points (39-23).

SECOND HALF SURGE
• In their last four MIAA dates, the Ichabods have outscored opponents, 148-129, during the second half with a 86-59 advantage in the third period.
• Against MIAA opponents this season, Washburn is shooting .465 on FGs, .375, and .810 on FTs.
• WU averages 4.1 steals and 16.3 rebounds a game during the second half against the MIAA.

JUST FIVE MINUTES
• In the last five minutes of MIAA games this season, WU is shooting .419 (18-43) on FGs, .350 (7-20) on 3FG, and .837 (36-43) on FTs.
• The Ichabods have narrowly outscored MIAA opponents, 79-74, and averages 9.9/game.
• Alexis McAfee is 15 for 15 (1.000) from the line against MIAA foes and 18 of 18 (1.000) for the season.

GETTING DEFENSIVE
• WU is ranked fourth in the MIAA in scoring defense (59.0 ppg), third in the MIAA in FG% defense (.366), and sixth in 3FG% defense (.291). 
• The Ichabods' 8.6 steals/game is the league's fifth-best mark.
• Washburn is listed fourth in the MIAA in forced turnovers (17.1).
• Bernard is listed among the nation's top 50 in total blocks (40th, 33) and blocks/game (41st, 1.9). Those numbers listed her second-overall in the MIAA for both categories.
• Bernard's 6.0 defensive rebounds a game is fourth-best among MIAA leaders.
• Three Ichabods are among the MIAA's top 20 in steals with Phelan (3rd) leading the way with 2.2 a game while McAfee (12th, 1.6) and Denesia Smith (t-19th, 1.3) follow.

RP3 CLIMBING THE CHARTS
• On Jan. 14, Reagan Phelan become the third player in program-history to score 32 points in a single-game and first player with at least 30 in over six seasons.
• Phelan is 113 points shy of tying Emily Shopper (1995-97) for 40th on the Washburn all-time points list with 693.
• Phelan's 60 3FGM is six shy of 25th on career list, tying Amanda Fessenden (2009-10) and Haley Pfau (2012-16).
• Phelan is currently listed 10th all-time in FT% (.783).

THE STARTING FIVE
• The Ichabods have rolled out four different starting lineups this season with the Axelle Bernard, Reagan Phelan, Taylor Blue and Alexis McAfee being the constants in each variation.
• The collective group average just over 50 points a game (50.7) for the season and 48.6 against MIAA opponents.
• Starters this season are shooting .427 on FGs, .335 on 3FG, .771 on FTs, and averages 24.9 rebounds.

AWAY FROM HOME
• The Ichabods are 5-1 this season when not playing at Lee Arena, including a 3-0 mark in MIAA road contests.
• Washburn is shooting .435 on FGs, .388 on 3FGs, and .738 on FTs, while opponents are shooting .397 on FGs and .308 on 3FGs as they convert .712 on FTs.
• In their three MIAA road games, WU us shooting .491 (79-161) on FGs, .388 (19-49) on 3FGs, and .846 (55-65) on FTs.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
• This is the 34th season that Washburn men's and women's basketball have called Lee Arena home, with the Lady Blues/Ichabods owning a 409-92 mark (.818) in the venue.
• The 500th women's game at Lee Arena was played last Thursday (1/11/18) vs Northeastern State.
• Under head coach Ron McHenry, Washburn is 215-45 all-time when playing at Lee Arena dating back to the 2000-01 campaign. 
• Washburn is 8-3 this season playing at Lee Arena.
• WU ranked sixth in Div. II in attendance last season as it averaged 1,468 fans through 18 games. The Ichabods have been among nation's top drawing teams finishing in the top 10 since the 2000-01 campaign.

ABOUT PITTSBURG STATE
• The Gorillas are 13-5 overall and 6-3 in the MIAA.
• Pitt State is 5-2 since coming back from winter break and are coming off a 78-66 loss at home to Emporia State (1/17/18).
• Among the MIAA, Pitt State is eigth in rebounds/game (38.2), 11th in FT% (67.1), eighth in 3PT% (.334), and seventh in FG% (.431), while allowing the fourth-fewest turnovers per game in the nation (11.8).
• Three Gorillas average double-digit points as Mikaela Burgess has 15.4/game, while Paige Imhoff and Shelby Lopez each have 10.6/game.
• Burgess is among the MIAA's top scorers as she's eighth in points/game, 12th in FG% (.351), and third in 3PT% (.322) while leading the league in made 3PT (2.7/game).
• Madison Northcutt's 9.4 rebounds a game is third-best in the MIAA.
• Imhoff tops the MIAA in assist-turnover ratio (2.24) and assists/game (5.7) while her 2.4 steals a contest is second overall.

A LIL' BIT OF HISTORY
• According to the Washburn archives, Saturday will mark the 85th all-time meeting.
• Washburn leads the series, 52-32, and is 20-18 all-time when facing the Gorillas in Pittsburg .
• The Ichabods have dropped the last six games to Pittsburg State, dating back to Mar. 1, 2014.
• Washburn's last road win at PSU was Jan. 11, 2012 (W, 65-51)

WASHBURN TRADITION
The 2017-18 campaign marks the 49th season of Washburn women's basketball. The program is 881-392-1 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 second longest in NCAA Division II and eighth all-time in NCAA history.

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.

UPCOMING ON THE SCHEDULE
• Home vs. Southwest Baptist (Jan. 24, 5:30 pm) -- 90's Night
• Home vs. No. 12/10 Central Missouri (Jan. 27, 1 pm) -- Pink Night