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Washburn finishes the game with a 19-point win, 81-62. Sophomore guard Brooke Gomez prepared for the game’s score before the game started and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll in 2025.
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Junior guard Kellyn Hunter prepares to take the shot as play continues during the game. Washburn shot 42.9% for the game, 9-23 from three-point range and made 26 of 32 free throws.
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Senior center Yiibari Nwidadah directs her teammates for the next play. Niwadadah recorded seven points and four rebounds in the win.
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Senior guard Gabi Giovannetti guards the perimeter as Ichabods look to close out the final home game of the season. With 1:44 left in the first half, she made a 3 pointer to help the Ichabods extend the lead to 10 points.
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Washburn shoots 42.9% and makes 9 of 23 from 3 point range. Missouri Southern was held to 33.9% and 1 of 12 from deep.
Ichabods defeated Missouri Southern 83-64 on Feb. 28, securing a 19-point win on Senior Day.
Before the game, Washburn honored senior guard Gabi Giovannetti, senior guard Payton Sterk, senior guard Aniah Wayne and senior center Yiibari Nwidadah as well as student assistant Karly Neufeld, as part of the Senior Day recognition.
Washburn took an early 10-5 lead in the game and did not trail for the remainder of the contest. The team scored five straight points in the final 17 seconds of the first half to take a 40-27 lead into halftime.
“It really mattered to us to send our seniors out on their senior night with a win. But we’re so excited for what this win means for us in seeding next week in Kansas City and then hopefully in the regional rankings,” head coach Lora Westling said. “I’m proud of my group…As a team, we rebounded in the first half which is a really good rebounding team that we played. We had a plus-18 margin at halftime and we were on every 50-50 ball. So I thought those were huge and we had a lot of good individual moments but a lot of great team stats.”
Westling said the team needs to see the final scores to know who they will play next week in Kansas City. She said they will regroup, make a game plan and prepare for their next MIAA game, adding that the team wants to make a strong run in Kansas City.
Washburn extended its lead in the second half, reaching 62-50 going into the fourth quarter.
“We all have each other’s backs and know that our shots are going to fall. We obviously want our main people to keep shooting the ball,” Giovannetti said. “My team believes in me and still passes through the rock when I’m open and still believing that my shot is going to go in. It’s just great to be a part of the team. […] Playing in front of fans is amazing. They come every time we win or lose and thank us for playing hard. It’s a great environment to be in and I love my Washburn family.”
Giovannetti said the team communicates well during games, using loud calls to indicate positioning, coverages and other details while huddles allow them to go over specifics.
“We focused on our scout and defense, we knew they were gonna set a lot of ball screens. We had to have our coverages focused,” Sterk said. “I think it was a bittersweet game because it was the last game for us seniors. So, playing in Lee [Lee Arena] is one of the best places, so I think it’s just really great due to the fans. [..] I think sticking together and making sure we get in our little huddles and talk. That kind of thing is how we communicate with one another [during the game].”
Washburn finished the game with a 19-point win, 81-62. Five players scored in double figures led by Sterk with 19 points, while Giovannetti scored 17 points.
Washburn will face Pittsburg State University in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Basketball Championship Tournament on Friday, March 6, in Kansas City.
Edited by Ojashwi Shrestha and Stuti Khadka
