THE TIP-OFF
After a setback on Saturday that ended a nine-game win streak, Washburn (11-5, 6-1 MIAA) will try to bounce back as it returns to the Show Me State to square off with Missouri Southern (11-7, 3-5 MIAA) in Joplin on Wednesday. The matchup, slated for a 5:30 tip, will be 78th meeting in series history and the only showdown between the Ichabods and Lions this seasons. Not including their exhibition game at Mizzou, the Ichabods are 3-2 this season when playing in the State of Missouri and are 5-1 against Missouri-based opponents. 

Wednesday's game will be streamed online through The MIAA Network (themiaanetwork.com/washburnichabods) with Jake Lebahn (play-by-play) and Dan Lucero (commentary) on the call. The contest can all be heard by turning your radio dial to KTPK 106.9 FM in Topeka or by visiting wusports.com/live for a streamed link for those outside the Topeka area, with Lebahn and Lucero calling the action.

THEY GOT HISTORY 
» Wednesday will be the 78th meeting all-time.
» Washburn leads the series, 48-29, including victories in its last two.
» Since the 2000-01 season, Washburn is 22-9, and 12-5 record in Joplin. 
» The Ichabods' last trip to Joplin (1/17/2018), yielded a 85-74 victory and was powered by a career-high 32-point effort from Reagan Phelan.

PREVIEWING MISSOURI SOUTHERN
» The Lions went into the holiday break with a 8-3 record but have since dropped four of their last seven and are looking to avoid a three-game skid following a pair of road losses to Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma.
» Missouri Southern is 8-2 this season at home, but are only 2-2 when hosting MIAA opposition at Robert Corn Court.
» MSSU tops the league in rebounds (753) and rebounds per game (41.8) and as a result are ranked 14th in Division II in total rebounds and 35th in rebound margin (6.5). The Lions are also among the MIAA top three in blocks (3rd/73) as well as per game defensive rebounds (2nd/29) and offensive rebounds (3rd/13).
» Among the MIAA, the offense is 9th in scoring (69.3) and 11th in field goal percentage (.415) and three-point (.296). MSSU also leads the league in turnovers per game (19.3) and most fouls (321).
» Chelsey Henry paces MSSU in scoring (17.4 ppg), second-best in the MIAA, though tops the league charts in field goals made (97). 
» Chasidee Owens is second on the team in scoring (11.3 ppg) and is second among league leaders in free throws made (73) and attempts (99) but is 10th in percentage (.737). She's also listed 8th in rebounds (125) and 11th in per game average (6.9).
» Leading the way is head coach Ronnie Ressel, who's in his third full season at helm, after going 23-34 in his previous two seasons.

WHAT A WASHBURN WIN MEANS...
» ...improve to 12-5 overall.
»  ...move to 7-1 in the MIAA.
» ...Ron McHenry's 438th career victory.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
The 2018-19 academic year marks the 50th season of women's athletics at Washburn University, which began with volleyball, basketball, softball, field hockey and gymnastics. Although, field hockey and gymnastics are no longer available, the offerings for female student-athletes has grown to eight sports with the addition of soccer, tennis, and cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field.

UP NEXT
» Washburn will be back in action Saturday with a trip to Pittsburg before returning home for a two-game stint next week.