By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball kicks off 2024 at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in Lee Arena, hosting Central Oklahoma in an MIAA contest.
Washburn wrapped up 2023 with a 75-56 home MIAA victory over Northeastern State on Dec. 19, improving to 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.
Sophomore Yibari Nwidadah is averaging 14 points and 9.9 rebounds for 8-3 Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Aubree Dewey is averaging 13.9 points and 6.1 assists for 8-3 Washburn women's basketball. [File photo/TSN]
"Everybody got to go home and had a nice break and everyone did a great job of kind of staying active enough that we were able to hit the ground running when we got back (on Dec. 28th),'' Washburn coach Lora Westling said.
The Ichabods are off to their best overall start since the 2017-2018 season and Westling said WU's start has helped fuel the team's attitude going into the second half of the season.
"It's definitely a lot more fun having that enthusiam going into break and coming back I've been really pleased with our team's effort and attention to detail,'' Westling said. "I think they really want to get better individually and that's showing up as we improve as a team.''
The Bronchos are off to a 2-10 start and are 1-5 in the MIAA after an 84-66 loss to No. 21-ranked Fort Hays State at home on Dec. 19.
Sophomore Yibari Nwidadah is averaging team-highs of 14 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Ichabods while shooting 59.6 percent from the floor.
Senior Aubree Dewey is averaging 13.9 points on 44.8 percent shooting while playing a team high 33.2 minutes per game and starting every game.
Dewey also leads Washburn with 6.1 assists per game and is second on the team with 5.5 rebounds per game from the point guard position and has come away with 2.0 steals per contest.
Dewy leads the MIAA and ranks fifth in the nation in assists per game.
Sophomore Gabi Giovannetti is averaging 11 points while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor and is shooting a team-high 48.1 percent from behind the arc. Defensively Giovannetti is averaging a team-high 1.2 blocks.
Aniyah Wayne is averaging 11.1 points and 3.5 reabounds and is shooting 38.8 percent from behind the 3-point arc, leading the Ichabods with 26 3s.
WU is 14th in the nation in scoring margin, outscoring teams by an average of 16.5 points per game.
The Ichabods are 18th in the nation in 3-point efficiency at 37.4 percent for the year, the best mark in the MIAA.
Karly Wadsworth averages a team-high 10.8 points for Central Oklahoma while Aliyah Llanusa pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game.
Washburn and Central Oklahoma split the season series last year, with both teams winning the road contest.
The Ichabods will finish up a three-game homestand against Newman on Saturday.
