TOPEKA, Kan. -- Friday night will be the first time Washburn women's basketball takes the floor inside the new Lee Arena as they host Southwest Baptist in the first day of the Washburn Classic. They will take on MSU Denver in day two of the tournament at 4 p.m. 

OPENING TIP

• Washburn women's basketball will play inside of the brand new Lee Arena for the first time this weekend as they host Southwest Baptist and MSU Denver for the Washburn Classic. 
• The Ichabods open the home schedule on Friday, Nov. 21 against Southwest Baptist with tip off set for 7 p.m. On Saturday they face the Roadrunners at 4 p.m. 
• Washburn is coming off a 18-13 season in 2024-25, finishing 5th in the MIAA regular season with an 11-8 record in the conference play. They advanced to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals.
• The Ichabods were picked to finish 2nd in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and were tabbed 3rd by the media.  
• Washburn is receiving votes in the most recent WBCA Poll released on November 18. 
• Southwest Baptist enters the game with a 0-2 record while MSU Denver begins the week with a 1-1 record. 

WASHBURN CLASSIC

• The Washburn Classic will be comprised of the Ichabods two opponents, Southwest Baptist and MSU Denver, along with Northeastern State also from the MIAA. 
• All games will be broadcasted on the MIAA Network and require purchase to view. 
• Live stats can be found for all games through Washburn's traditional live stats link. 
• Tickets can be purchased online and on-site at the ticket booth.
• An all-tournament team will be announced at the conclusion of the weekend. 

HOME SWEET HOME

• The 2025-26 season marks the 42nd season of play inside Lee Arena since the facility opened for the 1983-84 season. 
• Washburn is 465-130 all-time inside Lee Arena. 

BODS AND BITS

• Washburn returns ten letterwinners from last season's roster while adding four total new faces in the form of three transfers and one true freshman. 
• The experienced Ichabod roster consists of four seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and one freshman. 
• As a team Washburn has shooting splits of 40.3% from the floor, 26.1% from deep and 53.8% at the free throw line to score 62.0 ppg.
• They grab 32.5 rpg with 11.0 apg to 13.5 turnovers per contest. Defensively they average 10.0 spg with 4.5 bpg. 
• On the year opponents are averaging 66.0 ppg while shooting 40.7% from the floor and 26.8% from behind the 3-point line. 
• Washburn is 1-1 on the year in neutral court meetings with no home or road contests. Last season they went 9-2 inside of Lee Arena, 6-8 on the road and 3-3 in neutral court games.
• Washburn made three triples against Southwest Minnesota State to extend its streak with a made 3-pointer to 130 games. 

THE BLUE BUNCH

• Yiibari Nwidadah leads the team in scoring at 14.5 ppg in just 22.5 mpg on the short season. She has started both games and leads the team grabbing 6.0 rpg while also shooting 60.0% from the floor. She swats away 1.0 bpg and has scored in double figures of both games. She is 4th in the MIAA in FG% and 55th in the nation. The senior is also 11th in the MIAA in blocks per game. 
• Britany Kogbara has provided a spark off the bench in both games scoring 12.5 ppg in just 16.5 mpg. She is shooting 61.1% from the floor, second best on the team, while grabbing 4.5 rpg and making 1.5 spg. The junior has scored in double figures in both games. She ranks 2nd in the MIAA in 49th nationally in field goal percentage. 
• Payton Sterk is scoring in double figures at 12.5 ppg while starting both games and playing 30.5 mpg, second most on the team. She is adding a team-high 2.5 spg and has connected from deep three times, also tops on the team. The senior ranks 5th in the MIAA in steals per game. 
• Madelyn Amekporfor has made starts in both games scoring 8.5 ppg and logging a team-high 31.5 mpg. She is shooting 61.5% from the floor, tops on the team, while grabbing 4.0 rpg. The junior is swatting away 2.5 bpg, most on the team, while also making 1.5 spg. She is 1st in the MIAA and 21st nationally in bpg. 
• Gabi Giovannetti has started both games for Washburn scoring 5.0 ppg on 23.5% shooting in 24.5 mpg of action. She has made two 3-pointers while grabbing 2.0 rpg. Defensively she is making 1.5 spg. 
• Brooke Gomez has come off the bench in both games playing 20.0 mpg. She is scoring 4.0 ppg on 30.8% shooting and is dishing out a team-high 3.0 apg. She makes 1.5 spg and grabs 2.5 rpg. 
• Aniah Wayne has played in both games off the bench logging 21.5 mpg. She is scoring 3.5 ppg on an efficient 60.0% shooting and is giving out 1.5 apg. 
• Kellyn Hunter has started both games playing 18.0 mpg. She is delivering 2.0 apg with 2.0 rpg and 1.0 spg. 
• Kennadi Jackson made her collegiate debut and is playing 3.5 mpg in two games scoring 1.0 ppg.
• Nia McKenzie has played 9.5 mpg off the bench in both games and has yet to attempt a shot. 

STAT STACKING

• Washburn is protecting the paint averaging 4.5 bpg, tops in the MIAA and 31st in the nation. 
• With just 13.5 turnovers per game the Ichabods are first in the MIAA and 30th in the nation at protecting the ball.
• They also rank 1st in the conference with a +5.0 turnover margin, good for 49th nationally. 
• With a 0.81 assist to turnover ratio Washburn is 2nd among MIAA teams and 75th in the nation.
• The Ichabods are creating extra opportunities with 14.0 offensive rpg, 2nd most in the MIAA and 79th nationally.
• Washburn is third among MIAA teams and 86th in the nation with 10.0 spg. 

ADVANCED STATS

• Washburn has a team offensive rating of 90.5 and defensive rating of 96.3 which are based on averages per 100 possessions. 
• Britany Kogbara leads the team in rebounding percentage grabbing 14.3% of all rebounds while she is on the floor. 
• Yiibari Nwidadah is second on the team at 13.9%. 
• Brooke Gomez has the highest assist percentage on the team at 27.3% of assists while on the floor. 
• Kellyn Hunter has the second highest mark at 17.1%. 
• Through two games Aniah Wayne has a true shooting percentage of 70.0% when factoring in free throws and extra value for 3-pointers. 

MILESTONE MARKERS

• With 233 career offensive rebounds Yiibari Nwidadah is 4th in program history at creating extra opportunities. In overall rebounding she is 13th with 635 career boards. 
• Her career field goal percentage of .581 is the 2nd best in program history. In scoring she ranks 22nd with 1,021 career points as she reached the 1K mark in the season-opener. 
• Nwidadah is also 16th in program history with 60 career blocked shots. 
• Gabi Giovannetti is 12th in program history with 114 career 3-pointers made. She is 21st among all Ichabods with 51 blocked shots. 
• Payton Sterk currently sits 34th in program history with 65 3-pointers made in just 33 career games with Washburn. 
• With 49 career blocked shots Madelyn Amekporfor is 23rd in program history. 

HEAD COACH LORA WESTLING

• Lora Westling is in her fourth season as head coach at her alma mater entering the 2025-26 season. She has a 43-47 record with Washburn and is 120-125 mark  at the DII level. 
• Westling comes back to Topeka after six seasons at Western Colorado, where she compiled a record of 77-78 and led the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament selections – the first two in program history.
• Her overall victories is second on the Western all-time list and her 63 RMAC wins is tied for second in program history.
• Prior to Western Colorado, Westling spent three seasons as the head coach at the Division III program, Illinois College.
• Before becoming a head coach Westling had stints as an assistant at Missouri-St. Louis from 2007-10 and Truman State from 2010-13.
• She got her start in coaching at Washburn, where she served as a graduate assistant for the women's basketball and women's soccer teams.
• Westling was a standout member of Washburn's women's basketball team from 2001-05 and helped the Lady Blues to the school's first NCAA Division II national championship in 2005. 
• She also played one season of soccer for the Lady Blues.

WASHBURN ASSISTANT COACHES

• Assistant coaches Katie Dalton and Robin Stahl along with student assistant Karly Neufeld complete out the coaching staff.
• Dalton enters her second year on the Washburn sideline in 2025-26. After moving to Topeka she reunited with Westling who she played for at Western Colorado from 2017-22 and was a two-time All-RMAC selection. She graduated from Western Colorado in 2022. 
• She is originally from Magnolia, Texas and has spent time as a head rehabilitation technician and a physical therapy technician.
• Robin Stahl joins the Ichabod staff in 2025-26 after a one-year stop at Ottawa University where she was an assistant coach with the women's program. Before that she spent one season as a graduate assistant at Central Missouri. 
• Stahl is an Alliance, Ohio native who began her career at Malone University where spent four years with career averages of 13.5 ppg and 3.6 apg. She graduated from Malone in 2022. She played one season at Central Missouri before moving into a GA position. 
• Karly Neufeld is back for a second season as a student assistant in the 2025-26 season. 

LAST TIME OUT

Washburn 63, Southwest Minnesota State 59  (November 15, 2025)
EDMOND, Okla. -- Washburn picked up its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon with a late comeback to knock off No. 18 Southwest Minnesota State 63-59 in the squads final game of the Central Region Challenge. The Ichabods will play next at home inside of renovated Lee Arena against Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.  

It was another quick start for Washburn (1-1) as they led early thanks to points in the paint from Yiibari Nwidadah and Britany Kogbara. The lead reached six point at 15-9 after a driving basket by Brooke Gomez as the Ichabods led the Mustangs (2-2) 17-12 after one.  

Kogbara got the first basket of the second quarter but after that Southwest Minnesota State took over, scoring the next nine points to lead by two. The deficit reached double figures at 33-22 as they connected on five 3-pointers in the quarter. Washburn battled through the hot shooting with five more points from Kogbara in the final 90 seconds to give her 15 in the half and cut the lead to 35-29 at the break.  

After the first two points of the half went to SWMSU the next ten went to the Ichabods as they tied the game with a bucket by Yiibari Nwidadah and went in front on a pair of free throws by Payton Sterk. Southwest Minnesota State answered right back, going in front by five to end the quarter leading 47-42.  

The Mustangs' lead reached nine with under eight minutes to play. At the 5:36 mark Payton Sterk drilled a triple to make it 53-49 and start the rally. Washburn got within three in the final three minutes and finally came all the way back to tie it up at 59 after Madelyn Amekporfor hit a jumper at the 1:53 mark. She followed with a fastbreak layup to go in front. The Ichabods forced three straight turnovers and sank free throws on the other end in the final minute to win 63-59.  

Washburn shot 26-60 (43.3%) in the game playing from the inside out with 44 paint points and just eight three point attempts. Southwest Minnesota State shot 41.8% and 33.3% from deep with six triples.  

Rebounding went in favor of the Mustangs 48-25 but the Ichabods made up ground in the possession battle with a 22-8 turnover advantage leading to 26 points while SWMSU scored just two on takeaways.  

Britany Kogbara led the way with 15 points on 7-11 shooting with a block and steal. Yiibari Nwidadah was consistent, scoring 14 with a block and steal as well. Payton Sterk also had 14 points along with four steals and Madelyn Amekporfor had nine with a team-high seven boards.  

Three scored in double figures for the Mustangs led by 17 points from Kylan Gerads and 16 by Nicole Maenke. 

ABOUT THE SOUTHWEST BAPTIST BEARCATS

• Southwest Baptist is 1-1 to begin the season after losing 84-61 at home to Emporia State last time out on Nov. 18. 
• The Bearcats are 1-1 in home games and have not gone on the road yet this season. 
• Last season Southwest Baptist went 8-18 overall and 6-14 inside the GLVC where they missed the conference tournament. 
• So far on the year the Bearcats  average 81.5 ppg with shooting splits of 47.5% from the floor, 33.0% from deep and 55.2% at the line. They also grab 44.5 rpg with 17.5 apg. Opponents are scoring 67.0 ppg on 32.8% shooting. 
• Southwest Baptist leads the GLVC in apg, assists to turnover radio, bench scoring and FG%. They rank top-10 nationally so far in each category. 
• Natalie Crooke has started in both games playing 21.5 mpg. She is scoring 10.0 ppg on 50.0% shooting and is adding a team-high 3.5 apg. 
• Nahia Esnaola Agaen is scoring 13.5 ppg with 10.5 rpg while shooting nearly 80.0% from the floor and 1.0 bpg to begin the year. 
• Claudia Diez Sancho chips in 9.5 ppg with 2.0 apg off the bench in 22.0 mpg. 

HEAD COACH WAYKETHA HARRELL

• Is in her 3rd season as the head coach at Southwest Baptist where she has a 20-36 record. 
• Prior to joining the Bearcats she was an associate head coach for University of New Orleans for 8 seasons.
• Harrell joined the Privateers after a three-year stint at Kent State as an assistant coach.
• Harrell was a four-year collegiate player, starting her career at Rockhurst University.
• Harrell received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with an emphasis in Kinesiology from Missouri Southern State University in 2004.  She earned her Master of Arts in Sport Administration from Kent State University in May 2021.

SERIES WITH SOUTHWEST BAPTIST

• Washburn leads the all-time series between the two teams 44-15 including each of the last five meetings. 
• The Ichabods are 24-6 against Southwest Baptist at home. 
• The series began on Jan. 13, 1990 with a 72-62 win in Bolivar, Mo. 
• The most recent meeting came on Feb. 9, 2019 with a 69-58 win for Washburn. 
• The Ichabods average 72.22 ppg all-time against the Bearcats. 

ABOUT THE MSU DENVER ROADRUNNERS

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is off to an 0-2 start to its season after losing 101-69 last time out on Nov. 16. 
• The Roadrunners are already 0-2 in road contests to begin the season while not playing at home so far on the short season. 
• Last season MSU Denver went 6-22 overall and 5-15 inside of the RMAC, missing out on the conference tournament. 
• So far on the year the Roadrunners  average 61.0 ppg with shooting splits of 38.4% from the floor, 26.5% from deep and 77.1% at the line. Opponents are scoring 83.5 ppg on 48.0% shooting. They also grab 27.5 rpg with 8.0 apg. 
• MSU Denver is 3rd in the RMAC and 42nd in the nation in bench scoring at 30.0 ppg off the bench. They are 2nd in the conference and 51st in the nation at the charity stripe. 
• Maggie Teven leads the team scoring 9.5 ppg on 40.0% shooting. She has started both games playing 23.0 mpg while grabbing 4.5 rpg. 
• Jadyn Watts is second on the team in scoring at 8.5 ppg while shooting 41.2% from the floor. She has made two starts and plays 21.5 mpg. 
• Mikylah Espinosa is scoring 7.0 ppg on a team-best 56.6% shooting while adding a team-high 3.5 apg and is making 2.5 spg, also a team-high. She has started in both games playing 24.0 mpg, also most on the team. 
• Aaliyah Holmes chips in 7.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg in 23.5 mpg. 

HEAD COACH LYNN KENNEDY

• Enters his 1st season as the head coach at MSU Denver where he has an 0-2 record. 
• Joined the Roadrunners after four seasons at McNeese where he went 41-80. 
• Began his career as a head coach at New Mexico Highlands in 2002-03.

SERIES WITH METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

• Saturday's game will be the first ever meeting between the two programs. 

WASHBURN HISTORY

• Washburn women's basketball is 1,014-508-1 (.666) all-time and are in the 57th year of the program's history.
• Washburn claimed the 2005 NCAA National Championship over Seattle Pacific with a 70-53 win to cap off a 35-2 season. 
• Washburn has made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and is 26-16 all-time in those postseason games. 
• The program has won 18 total MIAA Championships, earning nine regular season conference titles and winning nine MIAA Tournament championships. 
• There have been 30 All-American awards given to Washburn players, with 11 of those coming from the WBCA. 
• Washburn has finished 14 seasons with 25 wins and four seasons with 30 victories. 

LOOKING AHEAD

• Washburn will head to the Lone Star State for the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic where they will face St. Mary's University in game on at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 in San Antonio, Texas. 
• MIAA play begins at home against Nebraska Kearney on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Lee Arena. 
• The MIAA Basketball Championship Tournament will be held in Kansas City, Mo. at the Municipal Auditorium from March 3-8.