Welcome to Top Sports News

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn women's basketball picked up its first win of the 2025-2026 season on Saturday afternoon, riding a late comeback to knock off No. 18-ranked Southwest Minnesota State 63-59 in the Ichabods' final game of the Central Region Challenge in Edmond, Okla.

Britany Kogbara

The Ichabods will return to action inside of renovated Lee Arena against Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. next Friday at 7 p.m.  

Now 1-1 on the young season, Washburn led early Saturday thanks to points in the paint from Yibari Nwidadah and Britany Kogbara. The Ichabod lead reached six points at 15-9 after a driving basket by Brooke Gomez as WU led the Mustangs (2-2) 17-12 after the opening quarter.  

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 the Mustangs 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 Southwest Minnesota State lead to 35-29 at the break.  

After the first two points of the half went to Southwest Minnesota State the next 10 points went to the Ichabods as they tied the game with a bucket by 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 third quarter leading 47-42.  

The Mustangs' lead reached nine with under eight minutes to play. At the 5:36 mark Sterk drilled a 3-pointer to make it 53-49 and start the Ichabod 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 put Washburn in front. The Ichabods forced three straight turnovers and sank free throws on the other end in the final minute to take the four-point win.  

Read more …

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Ichabod football closed out its 2025 season on Saturday with a come-from-behind 29-24 MIAA victory at Missouri Southern.

The Ichabods finished 3-8 overall and 2-7 in the MIAA, powered by a pair of late scoring drives, a defensive touchdown and two huge defensive stops on fourth down in the Lion redzone.

Sophomore cornerback Josh Grant returned a fumble 83 yards for a touchdown, helping spark Washburn's season-ending 29-24 MIAA win at Missouri Southern. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

"I don't care how you win a game in the MIAA,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins told KTPK Radio. "It's tough to win and I'm so happy for these guys and these seniors and where this program's going moving forward.

"But to win the way we won it. We've lost that game all year (four losses between three and seven points), so to win it that way is hugely impressive and I'm proud of these guys.''

Washburn made the most of its opportunities despite being outgained 442-345, finishing four for four in the red zone and scoring 13 points off turnover, including the play of the game, an 83-yard fumble return touchdown by Josh Grant that flipped momentum early in the second half.

Washburn opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Keller Hurla capped an 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Henry Mohrmann with 32 seconds left in the quarter.

Missouri Southern responded quickly with a 54-yard touchdown pass and added a field goal to take a 10-6 lead midway through the second quarter.

Logan Madden then engineered a 64-yard Washburn scoring drive, hitting former Washburn Rural standout Ty Weber on a 16-yard scoring strike to put WU back in front, 13-10.

The Ichabods added a 26-yard field goal from Aidan Battle just before halftime for a 16-10 advantage.

Early in the third quarter, Missouri Southern drove inside the Washburn red zone before the Ichabod defense provided a massive turning point.

Keith Guidry forced a fumble that Grant scooped up and returned 83 yards for a touchdown, extending the Washburn lead to 23-10.

The Lions answered with consecutive touchdown drives to take a 24-23 lead late in the third quarter.

Trailing in the fourth, Washburn delivered its best drive of the day.

Starting at its own 18, Madden guided a 12-play, 82-yard march, featuring steady runs from Cam Robinson and efficient short passes.

Madden finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mohrmann -- his second of the game -- with 4:16 remaining.

The Ichabod defense held from there, posting a fourth-down stop in the red zone to secure the victory. On a 4th and 2 from the Ichabod 9, the Lion running back was tackled by Washburn Rural product JC Heim and forced a fumble and Kamble Haverkamp recovered the ball at the Ichabod 7, ending the play.

Two kneel downs later, the Ichabods picked up the win.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Madden threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns in Washburn's 29-24 MIAA win at Missouri Southern. [File photo/TSN]

Madden finished 21 of 26 passing for 186 yards and two touchdowns while Hurla added a 4-for-5 passing performance and a touchdown, along with 49 rushing yards.

Robinson led the ground attack with 82 yards on 17 carries.

 

Trey Harmison caught six passes for 72 yards and Nathan Lewis Jr. added five receptions for 32 yards.

Sophomore linebacker JC Heim registered 12 tackles and forced a fumble in Washburn's 29-24 MIAA road win at Missouri Southern Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

Defensively, JC Heim led Washburn with 12 tackles, while Jordan Finnesy and Jaren Heim added eight stops apiece.

Grant recorded the game-changing fumble return touchdown and had five tackles and Haverkamp added an interception.

Washburn totaled 147 rushing yards on 35 attempts and completed 25 of 31 passes for 198 yards. The Ichabods converted 7 of 12 third downs and 4 for 4 red zone chances while forcing two turnovers and scoring on both.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn volleyball celebrates Saturday after earning a share of the MIAA regular-season championship in Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn volleyball poses for a team picture after earning a share of the MIAA regular-season title Saturday at Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]