TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn picked up its first regular-season series sweep of the season Wednesday night as they knocked off Emporia State for the second time in 11 days by the score of 88-73. The Ichabods will finish out the homestand on Saturday hosting Newman at 1 p.m.  

After scoring the first two baskets of the game Washburn (9-8, 3-4 MIAA) found itself trailing 7-5 nearly four minutes into the game. Back-to-back 3-pointers, first by Gabi Giovannetti then by Aniah Wayne, put them in front 11-7 at the 5:01 mark. The lead grew to nine points after Yiibari Nwidadah got two of her six first-quarter points to go. The Lady Hornets (7-9, 2-5 MIAA) shot just 4-19 (21.1%) in the first quarter as Washburn led by seven.  

After a layup by Emporia State with 6:27 to play in the half a pair of free throws by Payton Sterk began a 5-0 scoring run for the Ichabods, pushing the lead to double figures at 32-21. The Lady Hornets were contained offensively to begin the quarter but were able to shake loose for nine straight points shortly after, cutting the deficit down to one with 2:13 remaining in the half. Nwidadah put an end to the run with a layup and Washburn would score the last five points heading into the half after a Sterk triple leading 41-33.  

Both teams came out of the locker room with quick scoring. The first four for the Ichabods came from Nwidadah, who had a double-double in the first half alone. Emporia State kept pace, shooting 6-13 from the floor in the quarter and 5-5 at the line. On the other side though Washburn shot 11-17 (64.7%) and made four triples in the quarter. One of those, coming from Sterk with 53 seconds left, pushed the lead to a game-high 13 which is what the margin would be heading into the fourth.  

Sterk kept finding the bottom of the net to begin the fourth quarter, making two 3-pointers in the first four minutes. The second extended the lead to 20-points at 78-58 with 6:16 left. The Lady Hornets never got the deficit back lower than 15, which came in the final seconds as the Ichabods wrapped up an 88-73 victory. 

Washburn shot 32-69 (46.4%) for the game while going 12-29 (41.4%) from beyond the arc. On the opposite side, Emporia State was held to 23-59 (39.0%) shooting but were able to connect on nine triples.  

On the boards the Ichabods had a 40-36 advantage as well as in assists, where they dished out a season-high 24 assists to just 13 from the Lady Hornets. Paint scoring went in Washburn's favor 38-20 along with second chance points 17-9 as the Ichabods took control from the inside out.  

Payton Sterk led the way with a game-high 26 points on 7-11 shooting from beyond the arc. She reached 1,000 career points with her first bucket of the night. Yiibari Nwidadah stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points on 10-14 shooting with 12 rebounds for a double-double while adding a pair of blocks. Gabi Giovannetti had 12 points and a career-high six assists.  

Gracie Gilpin led Emporia State with 18 points on four made 3-pointers. Katie Horyna and Macey Gandee each had 10.