THE TIP-OFF
Washburn completes its Oklahoma two-step on Saturday when it welcomes Central Oklahoma to Lee Arena for a 1 pm tip-off. The Ichabods (16-7) already have a placed secured in the MIAA Tournament but will look add to their 11-3 conference mark as try to hold onto sole possession of second in the standings. Saturday's matchup is the 18th all-time meeting with the Bronchos. At halftime of Saturday's game, Washburn will celebrate the 50th anniversary of women's basketball with an on-court ceremony.

Wednesday game will be streamed online through The MIAA Network (themiaanetwork.com/washburnichabods) or on The MIAA Network app available on Apple TV, Roku and GooglePlay. The contest can also 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. Jake Lebahn (play-by-play) and Dan Lucero (commentary) will call the action with the pregame show starting 20 minutes prior to tip-off.

PREVIEWING CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
» The Bronchos visit Lee Arena at 15-9 on the year and 6-7 in the MIAA where they are ninth in the standings and are  coming off a 71-64 loss at Emporia State on Thursday.
» Through 24 games, the Broncho offense averages 67.3 points a game as they are shooting .414 (581-of-1402) from the field and .340 (191-of-561) from deep. As a result UCO is 10th in MIAA scoring and field goal percentage, while listed third in three-point efficiency.
» Opponents meanwhile are shooting at a .401-clip (168-of-509) from the floor and have converted 168-of-509 (.330) from deep, averaging 63 points.
» Micayla Haynes leads a trio of double-figure scorers, as she averages a team-best 11.8 per game. Ireon Smith and Shatoya Bryson each follow with 11.0 and 10.4 points per game, respectively.
» Smith also paces UCO on the glass with 7.6 rebounds per game. Bryson meanwhile leads the Bronchos in assists (72) and steals (37).
» Head coach Guy Hardaker is in his 13th season Bronchos.

WHAT A WASHBURN WIN MEANS...
» ...improve to 17-7 on the year, 12-3 in the MIAA.
» ...improve to 906-0 all-time when outscoring opponents.
» ...career win number 443 for head coach Ron McHenry.
» ...push all-time series lead to 10-8.
» ...first home win against Central Oklahoma since Feb. 20, 2016 and ends a four-game the Bronchos. 

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY?
On Thursday, Taylor Blue recorded her third career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The senior is averaging 10.8 points in her last five games with five 5.0 boards. Reagan Phelan is averaging 10.8 points in her last five outings while dishing out a team-best 17 assists. The junior is also 10 for 13 from the line during that stretch. Alexis McAfee has 11 steals and 50 total points her last five games. Annette Warner is coming off her third five-block performance of the season pushing her block total to 20 over the last five games. Senior Nicole Murugarren had a career night on Thursday tallying 18 points and 15 rebounds.

START ME UP
Head coach Ron McHenry has used four different starting lineups this season, however none more than the Phelan, McAfee, Bentley, Blue and Murugarren, as Washburn is 11-3.

FINAL FIVE MINUTES
In the final 300 seconds of regulation, Washburn is shooting .412 (77-of-187) from the floor with an impressive .366 (26-of-71) from three-point distance. The Ichabods meanwhile have converted 56-of-77 (.727) from the line. Conversely, opponents are shooting .356 (64-of180) and .283 (17-of-60) from deep. As a result, the Ichabods are 12-1 when leading in the final minutes. At the line, Phelan is 16 for 22 (.727), while Bentley is 11 for 15 (.733). McAfee however leads the way converting 12-of-15 (.800).

REAGAN MAKING MOVES, UP THE CHARTS
On Feb. 6, Phelan became the Washburn's 23rd member of the 1,000-point club and first since Laura Kinderknecht during the 2012-13 season. Phelan enters Saturday's game with 1,025 career point, good for 20th on the all-time list. Carolyn Wempe stands four points ahead of Phelan at 1,029 with Tiffany Lohse at 18th with 1,030. Phelan also continues her ascent up the three-point charts, beginning Saturday listed 11th with 109 made three-pointers. The great Brenda Shaffer-Dahl is one ahead for 10th while Casyn Buchman's 113 threes is ninth all-time.

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
The Ichabods take to the road for the final time season next week as they take on Lindenwood and Lincoln.