THE TIP-OFF
Washburn (14-5, 9-1 MIAA) returns to action Saturday when Lindenwood (13-4, 7-3 MIAA) visits Topeka for a 1 pm. Though its the first of two meetings this season, Saturday will mark the final regular season visit to Lee Arena for Lindenwood as the Lions are slated to move to the GLVC for the 2019-20 season. The Ichabods are also looking to improve their reign over Missouri-based schools are they head into the matchup with a 7-1 record.
THEY GOT HISTORYÂ
» Saturday's meeting with the 10th in series history.
» Washburn leads the all-time series, 7-2, and have won the last four.
» Lindenwood's last win at Lee Arena was Dec. 22, 2013.
» The teams met just once last season with Washburn claiming a 81-69 victory on the road at Hyland Arena. Phelan dropped 18, Bentley had 12, while Axelle Bernard had eight points, seven baords.
PREVIEWING LINDENWOOD
» The Lions have won three of their last six and come to Topeka at 13-4 overall, 7-3 in the MIAA, where they currently sit tied for fourth.
» Lindenwood returned its top scorer and rebounder from a year-ago in Kallie Bildner. Bildner continues to pace the Lions in both categories, averaging 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds heading in Saturday. Bildner is also shooting at a .636-clip (105-of-165)
» Against the MIAA, the Lion trio of Bildner, Lexie Moe and Charisse Williams each average double-digit points. Bildner maintains her season average. Moe follows at 11. 2 per game with William at 10.4 per contest.
» Lindenwood began the weekend among Division II's Top 10 leaders in rebound margin (9th/10.3) and field goal percentage (5th/.486) – topping the MIAA charts in both categories.
» The Lions have won two of their last three, falling to Emporia State on Thursday (83-63). During the span, Lindenwood is shooting .444 (76-of-171) from the field with 26 three-pointers.
» Lindenwood is under the direction of first-year head coach Katie Falco.
WHAT A WASHBURN WIN MEANS...
» ...improve to 15-5 on the year, 10-1 in the MIAA.
» ...first time since 2011-12 season Washburn records 10 or more wins in conference play by Groundhog's Day. That season Washburn tallied 12.
» ...is 907-0 when leading at the end of regulation.Â
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Washburn basketball has been listed among the NCAA Division II top 10 in attendance for 16 consecutive seasons. During the 2017-18 season, the Ichabods were ranked fifth nationally in overall attendance drawing 25,311, averaging 1,582 fans per home contest. Â
HISTORY MAC-KER
On Dec. 18, with a decisive victory over Embry-Riddle (Fla.), head coach Ron McHenry surpassed Patty Dick as the all-time leader wins as he notched No. 432. McHenry's latest accomplishment comes nearly two seasons after notching his 400th career win. Now in his 19th season with Washburn, McHenry has eight MIAA titles with 12 trips to the NCAA Championship plus Washburn's only NCAA national title (2005).
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 returns to the road as it circles back through the MIAA slate being with a visit to Warrensburg as the Ichabods face Central Missouri Wednesday.
