By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Coming off a 34-point MIAA win at Newman on Wednesday, the Washburn University men return to Lee Arena on Saturday for the first time in two weeks to host to nationally-ranked Central Oklahoma at 3 p.m.
The Ichabods are 11-11 overall and 8-8 in the MIAA after shooting down the Newman Jets 95-61 last time out while the Bronchos are 21-2 overall and sit atop of the MIAA standings with a 15-2 record.
Sophomore Andrew Orr leads Washburn with a 13.9 scoring average entering Saturday's 3 p.m. MIAA home game against Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
Central Oklahoma, ranked No 4 in one national poll and No. 6 in another, has not played since a 66-51 win over Fort Hays State on Feb. 4 in Edmond, Okla.
UCO won the first meeting with the Ichabods this season, taking a 72-57 decision on Dec. 31 in Edmond.
Sophomore Andrew Orr leads the Ichabods with a 13.9 scoring average while averaging 14.6 points in MIAA contests. Orr recorded his second double-double of the season against Newman when he had 14 points and 10 rebounds. He is third on the team in rebounds at 5.9 per game.
Tyler Nelson is averaging 12.2 points and has reached double digits in eight of his last nine games, averaging 15.7 points over that span.
Levi Braun is scoring 9.7 points and has hit 52 of 119 3-pointers (44 percent). Of his 70 field goals this season, 52 have been from 3-point range.
Michael Keegan is averaging 8.6 points an 6.0 rebounds with 20 steals and 18 blocks. He is coming off a season-high 21 points against Newman while going eight of 11 from the field and added nine rebounds.
Connor Defebaugh is scoring 8.2 points and 3.0 assists per game while Brady Christiansen leads the Ichabods with 7.2 rebounds.
Third-year sophomore guard Jaden Wells averages a team-high 17.9 points for Central Oklahoma while shooting 44.6 percent from 3-point range and 88.4 percent from the free throw line.
The Ichabods will host defending national champion Northwest Missouri next Tuesday .
WU aiming to snap three-game losing streak
Washburn's women returns home after a three-game road trip to host Central Oklahoma on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Ichabods (9-13, 5-11) are falling 74-62 at Newman on Wednesday evening while the Bronchos are 7-14, 4-13 and have lost their last four straight games.
Aubree Dewey leads Washburn in scoring, assists and minutes played enterin Saturday's MIAA game against Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
Central Oklahoma's last outing was on Saturday in a 91-62 loss against Fort Hays State.
Washburn won the earlier meeting at Central Oklahoma on New Year's Eve, claiming a 75-73 decision.
Aubree Dewey continues to lead the Ichabods with 10.5 points, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 33.4 minutes per game..She recorded her 11th double-figure scoring game of the season on Wednesday with 12 points scored against the Jets.
Natalia Figueroa is the only Ichabod besides Dewey who has started all 22 games and leads the team with 36 3-pointers and currently has an eight-game streak of making a trey.
Overall, Figueroa scores an average of 8.3 points and is tied for the team-lead in blocks with 12.
Macy Doebele averages 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.8 minutes off the bench. She notched her third double-digit game in the past five games with 10 points and five boards at Newman.
Emma Chapman has started all but four games and also averages 7.5 points to go with 4.6 rebounds. She added seven points and four rebounds against the Jets.
Karly Wadsworth averages 13.1 points in 21 games played for Central Oklahoma and leads the team with 45 made 3-pointers.
Alayzha Knapp has played in 17 games for the Bronchos and averages 13.2 points to go with 4.6 rebounds.
Washburn will remain at home for Tuesday's Pink Out game against Northwest Missouri. The Valentine's Day game is slated for 5:30 p.m.
