TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn women's basketball enters the MIAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed and will face off with the No. 6 seed Pittsburg State in the quarterfinal round inside Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. at 2:15 p.m. on Friday. 

OPENING TIP

• Washburn makes its 35th appearance in the MIAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed where they will take on the No. 6 seed Pittsburg State in the quarterfinal round.
• The Ichabods take on the Gorillas at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, March 6 inside Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
• Washburn finished the regular season with a sixth straight victory defeating Missouri Southern 83-64 on Feb. 28, moving to 21-7 overall and finishing 14-5 in the MIAA.
• 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. They finished 3rd in the regular season.

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.
• Washburn was ranked No. 6 in the final NCAA Central Region rankings released on Wednesday, March 4. Eight teams from the region will advance into the NCAA Tournament announced on Sunday, March 8.
• The Ichabods are looking to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2012-13 season.
• As a team Washburn has shooting splits of 41.7% from the floor, 32.7% from deep and 71.5% at the free throw line to score 66.9 ppg. 
• They grab 37.7 rpg with 13.5 apg to 16.6 turnovers per contest. Defensively they average 8.9 spg with 2.7 bpg.  
• On the year opponents are averaging 57.6 ppg while shooting 37.2% from the floor and 28.9% from behind the 3-point line.  
• Washburn is 12-1 on the year inside the new Lee Arena, 3-1 in neutral court games and 6-5 in road contests.  
• Washburn knocked down nine 3-pointers in the regular season finale against Missouri Southern to extend its streak with a made 3-pointer to 155 games. 
• Pittsburg State closed out the regular season with a 73-58 road loss to Central Missouri on Feb. 28 that moved them to 18-10 overall and 11-8 in MIAA play.

TOURNAMENT TIME

• The MIAA Championship Tournament will take place in Kansas City, Mo. at Municipal Auditorium from March 4-8.
• Tickets can be purchased at the Municipal box office or via ticketmaster. 
• Games will be broadcasted on the MIAA Network and can be purchased with a $15 single-game pass or $40 for the entire tournament.
• Washburn is 43-25 overall in the MIAA Tournament. They have gone 20-9 in the quarterfinal round and are 29-20 inside of Municipal Auditorium.
• The Ichabods are are 3-3 as the No. 3 seed in the tournament and 4-1 against the No. 6 seed. They are 36-10 overall as the higher seed. 
• Washburn is 4-3 against the Gorillas all-time in the MIAA Tournament.

ALL-MIAA HONORS

• Washburn landed three players on the 2025-26 All-MIAA squads headlined by Yiibari Nwidadah earning All-MIAA First Team honors as well as All-Defensive team recognition.
• She is the first First Team selection since Laura Kinderknecht in 2012-13 and the first to earn First Team honors as well as be named to the All-Defensive team since Crystal Walker in 2002-03.
• Payton Sterk landed on the All-MIAA Second Team for the second time in her two seasons with Washburn.
• Gabi Giovannetti earned her first career All-MIAA selection as she was named an Honorable Mention All-Conference member.

THE BLUE BUNCH

• Yiibari Nwidadah is second on the team scoring 11.5 ppg in just 22.2 mpg on the season. She has started in all 27 games she has played in and leads the team grabbing 7.3 rpg while also shooting a team-high 57.5% from the floor. She has scored in double figures in 16 games with six double-doubles. She is 4th in the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game and 9th among conference players in rpg.
• Payton Sterk is leading the team scoring 12.3 ppg on 38.0% overall, 34.5% from deep and a team-best 89.3% at the line. She has started every game playing 31.4 mpg, most on the team while also coming away with 1.5 spg, second most on the team. She has drilled a team-high 48 triples and has scored 14+ points in 12 games this season. The senior ranks 10th in the MIAA in 3-pointers made per game.
• Gabi Giovannetti has started all 28 games for Washburn scoring 11.1 ppg on 41.4% shooting in 28.7 mpg of action. She is shooting 35.7% from deep and is second on the team with 40 3-pointers. She also brings down 4.1 rpg and is swiping a team-high 1.6 spg.
• Britany Kogbara sits fourth on the team in scoring at 7.8 ppg in just 16.7 mpg of action playing in every game with one start. She is shooting 56.9% from the floor, second best on the team, while grabbing 4.1 rpg. Her 11 games scoring double figures off the bench lead the team and she is 12th in the MIAA in bpg. 
• Madelyn Amekporfor played in every game while making 27 starts logging 23.5 mpg and scoring 6.2 ppg while shooting 36.3% from the floor. She is grabbing 2.9 rpg along with swiping 1.3 spg. She has nine games with multiple steals.
• Brooke Gomez has played in every game while making 26 starts and is logging 18.8 mpg. She scores 4.6 ppg on 46.3% shooting and is dishing out a team-high 2.8 apg along with grabbing 2.7 rpg. She is 9th in the MIAA in total assists.
• Aniah Wayne has appeared in every game while making one start and is playing 20.4 mpg. She is scoring 7.1 ppg on 38.2% shooting from the floor and 36.6% from deep, best on the team. The senior also chips in 2.1 rpg and shoots 78.9% at the free throw line.
• Kellyn Hunter has played in 25 games while making two starts for the Ichabods and is logging 17.0 mpg. She scores 3.3 ppg while grabbing 2.8 rpg and making 1.0 spg. 
• Nia McKenzie has played 13.3 mpg off the bench in every game. She is scoring 1.7 ppg along with grabbing 2.9 rpg.
• Kennadi Jackson has come off the bench in 22 games playing 6.7 mpg and scoring 1.1 ppg.
• Willow Gideon has played in ten games logging 3.8 mpg. She is scoring 1.2 ppg.
• Kylin Shipman has appeared in 15 games for the Ichabods of the bench logging 7.2 mpg.
• Lauren Luebbert has come off the bench in 12 contests, playing 4.8 mpg and scoring 0.5 ppg.
• Cloie Jansky has appeared in eight games off the bench logging 2.9 mpg and scoring 1.3 ppg. 

STAT STACKING

• Holding opponents to 57.6 ppg overall Washburn is 37th nationally and first in the MIAA in scoring defense. 
• Forcing 17.79 turnovers per game the Ichabods lead the conference and are 108th nationally at creating giveaways.
• With opponents shooting 37.2% from the floor, Washburn is 3rd in the conference and 63th in the nation in field goal percentage defense.
• Outscoring opponents by 9.3 ppg, the Ichabods have the 62nd best scoring margin in the nation and 3rd among MIAA teams.
• With a +5.4 rebounding margin Washburn is 2nd among conference teams and 50th in the nation. 
• Shooting 32.7% from deep the Ichabods have risen to 3rd in the conference in 3-point percentage and 54th in the nation.
• With a team field goal percentage of 41.7% Washburn ranks 4th in the MIAA and 81st nationally.
• The Ichabod bench is scoring 21.3 ppg, 7th most in the MIAA and 88th in the nation.

ADVANCED STATS

• Washburn has a team offensive rating of 94.5 and defensive rating of 81.4 based on averages per 100 possessions. 
• Yiibari Nwidadah leads the team among qualified players in rebounding percentage at 19.1%. On the defensive end she grabs 24.9% of rebounds. 
• Britany Kogbara is second on the team grabbing 14.4% of rebounds when on the floor, second highest on the team. 
• Brooke Gomez has the highest assist percentage on the team at 29.1% of assists while on the floor. 
• Kellyn Hunter has the second highest mark at 21.0%. 
• Yiibari Nwidadah has the highest true shooting percentage on the team at 60.2% when adding in free throw percentage and 3-pointers. 
• Britany Kogbara is second on the team at 57.7%. 

MILESTONE MARKERS

• With 297 career offensive rebounds Yiibari Nwidadah is 3rd in program history at creating extra opportunities. In overall rebounding she is 3rd with 821 career boards. 
• Her career field goal percentage of .579 is the 2nd best in program history. In scoring she ranks 13th among all Ichabods with 1,303 career points. 
• Nwidadah is also tied for 10th in program history with 71 career blocked shots. 
• Gabi Giovannetti is 6th in program history with 154 career 3-pointers made. She is 14th among all Ichabods with 64 blocked shots. 
• She ranks 24th in program history with 1,010 career points. 
• Payton Sterk currently sits tied for 14th in program history with 110 3-pointers made in just 59 career games with Washburn. Her career percentage from deep of 36.4% is the 14th best in program history.
• Sterk's career free throw percentage of 86.4% is the best for any Ichabod. 
• With 60 career blocked shots Madelyn Amekporfor is 18th in program history at coming away with rejections. 
• Aniah Wayne has made 107 3-pointers in her Ichabod career putting her 18th 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 63-53 record with Washburn and is 140-131 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 83, Missouri Southern 64 (February 28, 2026)
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn registered its sixth straight victory as they wrapped up the season inside Lee Arena with a 83-64 win over Missouri Southern on senior day Saturday. The Ichabods enter the MIAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed and will face the No. 6 seed Pittsburg State in the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 6 at 2:15 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo. 

Before the game the four Washburn seniors: Gabi Giovannetti, Payton Sterk, Aniah Wayne and Yiibari Nwidadah were recognized for senior day along with student assistant Karly Neufeld prior to their final game inside of Lee Arena. 

After a 5-0 run early in the first quarter to lead 10-5 Washburn (21-7, 14-5 MIAA) never trailed the rest of the way. They shot 8-8 at the free throw line in the opening quarter to help build an 18-14 lead.  

The Lions (19-9, 13-6) cut the deficit down to one point early in the second quarter but a third triple of the game by Madelyn Amekporfor stopped the run. The Ichabods were able to push the lead to ten points at 35-25 after Gabi Giovannetti knocked down a triple with 1:44 remaining in the first half. Washburn ended the half on a 5-0 run all in the final 17 seconds to go into the break leading 40-27.  

Offense for both sides picked up in the third quarter, a personal 5-0 run by Payton Sterk pushed the lead to 15 points at the 6:40 mark. Missouri Southern came back with six points in a row, brining the lead to single digits. Aniah Wayne dialed up a pair of 3-pointers inside the final minutes of the quarter as the Ichabods shot 50.0% overall in the third to lead 62-50 going into the fourth. 

Sterk opened the fourth with a 3-pointer but after that the Lions continued to chip away, brining the lead back down to nine points with 5:29 remaining. Over the next 2:13 Washburn answered with a 10-2 run with the final six points coming at the free throw line. That pushed the lead to 17 and it was all Ichabods from there as they eased into a 19-point victory. 

Washburn shot 42.9% for the game and was an efficient 9-23 from deep. They got to the line 32 times and converted 26 opportunities as well. On the other end Missouri Southern was held to 33.9% shooting and just 1-12 from behind the arc. They shot 21-31 at the charity stripe. 

A 49-32 advantage on the glass aided the Ichabods as they snagged 16 extra opportunities. Missouri Southern had a 24-13 edge in the turnover department but got just six points off the bench compared to 24 for Washburn. 

Five players scored in double figures led by Payton Sterk with 19 on 5-9 shooting. Gabi Giovannetti eclipsed 1,000 career points with 17 with nine rebounds. Madelyn Amekporfor and Britany Kogbara each scored 12 off the bench. Aniah Wayne scored 11 and Yiibari Nwidadah had seven with four boards on senior day.  

Lily Thomas led the Lions with 19 points, Grace Frazier had 17.  

ABOUT THE PITTSBURG STATE GORILLAS

• Pittsburg State lost a fifth straight game to close the regular season losing 73-58 to Central Missouri on the road on Feb. 28. They enter the tournament with a 18-10 record overall and 11-8 in the MIAA as the sixth seed.
• The Gorillas are 8-5 playing at home in John Lance Arena, 7-5 on the road and 3-0 in neutral court games.
• Last season Pittsburg State went 33-4 overall and 18-1 in the MIAA. They won the MIAA regular season and tournament championships while advancing to the NCAA Final Four.
• On the year the Gorillas average 70.7 ppg with shooting splits of 40.9% from the floor, 32.1% from deep and 74.5% at the line. They also grab 41.0 rpg with 10.6 apg. Opponents are scoring 65.7 ppg on 38.2% shooting. 
• Pittsburg State is 1st in the MIAA and 38th in the nation in rpg. They rank 2nd in the conference shooting 2nd in the conference shooting 74.5% from the free throw line and are 3rd making 15.14 free throws per game, 30th nationally. 
• Ja'Miya Brown is leading the team scoring 12.5 ppg while playing in 26 games and starting in 25 logging 25.7 mpg. She is shooting 42.0% from the field and a team-high 37.9% from deep with 44 triples, also a team-high. She ranks 11th in the MIAA in 3's per game. The junior was named an All-MIAA Honorable Mention.
• Harper Schriner has also started all 28 games for the Gorillas playing a team-high 32.5 mpg. She scores 11.0 ppg while grabbing 6.7 rpg from the guard spot and is swiping a team-best 1.4 spg as well. She was named an All-MIAA Third Team selection. She ranks 5th in the MIAA in FT% and 11th in rpg.
• Marin Adams has started all 28 games playing 29.9 mpg while scoring 12.2 ppg, second most on the team. She also grabs 3.5 rpg and gives out 2.2 apg. She earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors as a freshman. She is 4th in the MIAA with a 84.6 ft%. 
• Kaycee McCumber has appeared in 27 games making 26 starts logging 24.1 mpg. She is scoring 8.8 ppg on a team-high 50.3% shooting. She grabs 9.9 rpg with 2.7 coming on the offensive end. She is leading the MIAA and is 22nd in the nation in rpg.
• Clara Swearingen chips in 8.5 ppg while playing 30.1 mpg while starting all 28 contests. She also ads 2.5 rpg and 1.1 spg. 

HEAD COACH AMANDA DAVIED

• Is in her 8th season at the helm of the Pittsburg State women's basketball program where she has a 166-72 record.
• Served the previous 14 seasons as the assistant coach for her alma mater, replaced her former mentor, Lane Lord.
• During her tenure on the Pitt State staff (2004-present), the Gorillas have compiled a 431-222 overall record (.660), capturing two MIAA regular season titles in 2017 and 2025, two MIAA tournament title in 2024 and 2025.
• The Farlington, Kan., native scored 1,299 points in 109 career games, finishing her career as the school's ninth-leading all-time scorer. She also set Pitt State records for career assists (553) and career free throw percentage (.844, 313-for-371).

LAST TIME VERSUS PITTSBURG state

Washburn 71, Pittsburg State 56 (February 25, 2026)
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn used a big second half to win its fifth game in a row and 20th of the season defeating Pittsburg State 71-56 at home on Wednesday night. The Ichabods play one more in the regular season taking on Missouri Southern on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Lee Arena.  

Both sides traded baskets early on with five ties in the first quarter alone. A 5-0 run by the Gorillas (18-9, 11-7 MIAA) created some separation. Both teams shot under 35.0% in the first quarter but going 8-9 at the free throw line put Pittsburg State in front 17-12 after one.  

Washburn (20-7, 13-5 MIAA) fell behind by as many as eight early in the second quarter. A 6-0 run kept it close after Payton Sterk got a layup to go at the 7:29 mark. The Gorillas got hot from deep in the quarter, shooting 6-7 from three-point range, with three coming inside the final four minutes to lead 35-29 at the break.  

The first eight points of the second half came from the Ichabods, including the first six for Brooke Gomez, as they went in front. Pittsburg State knocked down a jumper with 6:11 remaining in the quarter which would be the only points they scored in the 10-minute period. Washburn's offense continued to churn, finishing the quarter shooting 52.6% and on a 14-0 run to lead 51-37.  

The Gorilla offense picked up its pace to start the fourth, cutting the lead down to seven points at the 5:32 mark. A 3-pointer by Aniah Wayne pushed the lead back into double-figures and started a 6-0 run for the Ichabods. The lead never dipped below 10 points after that, with free throws putting the game away down the stretch to give Washburn 20 wins for the first time since the 2018-19 season.  

Washburn finished the game shooting 42.2% for the game while going 5-20 from deep. They out-rebounded the Gorillas 45-26 including grabbing 16 offensive boards. That led to a 38-14 advantage in paint scoring along with 16-9 in second chance points.  

Four players finished in double figures in a balanced scoring effort. Aniah Wayne topped the chart with 11 points on 3-4 shooting all from downtown. Gabi Giovannetti had 10 along with seven rebounds, Britany Kogbara had 10 with two blocks and Brooke Gomez added 10 as well.  

Clara Swearingen led Pittsburg State scoring 11 points, two others had ten.  

SERIES WITH PITTSBURG STATE

• Washburn leads the all-time series between the two teams 57-40.
• The Ichabods are 2-2 against Pittsburg State in neutral court games.
• The series began on Jan. 18, 1975 with a 101-36 win for Washburn at home.
• The Ichabods won the only meeting between the two teams this season winning 71-56 at home on Feb. 25.
• Washburn averages 67.52 ppg all-time against Pittsburg State.

WASHBURN HISTORY

• Washburn women's basketball is 1,034-514-1 (.668) 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

• With a win on Friday, Washburn would take on the winner of the game between No. 2 Fort Hays State and No. 7 Missouri Western. The semifinal meeting would take place on Saturday, March 7 at 2:15 p.m.
• The NCAA selection show will take place at 10:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 8 and will be streamed online.