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Details: Created: 07 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn women's basketball fought back late Saturday at Central Missouri, but could not complete the come-from-behind victory, falling 64-58 to the Jennies.

Sophomore Brooke Gomez (1) scored a game and career-high 23 points in Saturday's 64-58 road loss at Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]

The Ichabods are back in action after three straight road games on Thursday, hosting Arkansas-Fort Smith at 5:30 p.m. in Lee Arena.

The Jennies (17-5 overall, 11-2 MIAA) jumped in front early, leading 11-6. Washburn (15-7, 8-5) battled to tie the game at 14 after a 6-0 run and bucket by Madelyn Amekporfor at the 1:04 mark of the opening quarter. Central Missouri scored the final four points of the quarter to lead 18-14 after one.

A 5-0 run from the home team pushed the lead to double figures with 5:12 to play in the first half. The Jennies offense knocked down four 3-pointers in the second quarter while shooting 50.0 percent overall as the Washburn deficit grew to 37-25 at the half.

Washburn chipped away at the lead in the third quarter, cutting it down to six points at the 5:32 mark after sophomore Brooke Gomez knocked down a 3-pointer, the first and only trey of the game for the Ichabods.

The Jennies' lead was boosted back to double figures at 49-39 after a triple from Central Missouri with 1:09 seconds left in the quarter.

The offense of Washburn got off to a fast start in the fourth quarter, scoring the first six points, with the final four from Gomez to pull within four.

The deficit was cut down to four once more with 6:07 left but the Jennies fired back with five straight points.

Senior Gabi Giovannetti got an old-fashioned 3-point play with 33 seconds left, once again making it a four-point game. But the next two offensive possessions came up empty for the Ichabods, with the Jennies putting the game away at the free throw line.

Washburn narrowly out-shot Central Missouri from the floor, 44.6 percent clip to 44.2. The Ichabods were 1-14 from deep while the home squad went 7-18.

The Jennies led on the boards, 32-30, while Washburn had a 48-28 advantage in paint scoring.

Gomez led all scorers with a career-high 23 points on 11 of 13 shooting.

Reese Schaaf had 18 points to go along with nine rebounds to lead Central Missouri.

Details: Created: 07 February 2026

By JUSTIN BURKHARDT

TopSports.news

Hayden boys basketball fell at home to Junction City, 76–56, in a Centennial League game Friday night as the Blue Jays set the tone early and never let the Wildcats gain sustained momentum.

Senior Kade Mitchell (2) led Hayden with 14 points in Friday's 76-56 loss to Junction City. [File photo/TSN]

Junction City came out aggressive from the opening tip, knocking down shots from the perimeter and pushing the pace to build a 27-11 advantage by the end of the first quarter.

The early run energized the Blue Jays and forced Hayden to play from behind for most of the night.

The Wildcats responded in the second quarter with improved ball movement and better defensive effort, cutting into the deficit with a more controlled offensive approach.

Kade Mitchell provided a steady presence for Hayden, attacking the basket and finishing the half as the team’s leading scorer. Mason Becker also gave Hayden a lift from the outside, connecting on two 3-pointers as the Wildcats tried to stay within striking distance heading into halftime.

Any momentum Hayden gained was quickly halted after the break.

Junction City opened the third quarter with another strong surge, outscoring Hayden 26-15 during the period.

The Blue Jays consistently found open shooters, finishing the night with 10 3-pointers, and used their depth to keep fresh legs on the floor.

Lavell Autry led the way for Junction City, scoring a game-high 20 points while setting the tone on both ends of the court.

Despite the growing margin, Hayden continued to compete and showed flashes of solid execution late in the game.

Mitchell finished with 14 points to lead the Wildcats.

Details: Created: 07 February 2026

By JUSTIN BURKHARDT

TopSports.news

The Class 4A No. 8 Hayden girls hosted Junction City on Friday night and delivered a dominant performance, rolling to a 61–23 Centennial League victory.

The Blue Jays stayed within striking distance early, pulling to within one midway through the first quarter at 9–8, but that would be as close as they would get.

Hayden quickly took control with a 12-0 run to close the opening period, building a 19-8 lead heading into the second quarter.

From there, the Wildcats’ pressure defense and aggressive play in the paint made it difficult for Junction City to find any offensive rhythm.

Hayden consistently attacked the basket, converting high-percentage looks and forcing turnovers on the defensive end.

Junior Alana Mitchell continued her strong recent play late in the second quarter, providing a spark that helped Hayden pull away before halftime.

Mitchell knocked down two 3-pointers and scored seven of her 10 points in the closing minutes of the half, sending the Wildcats into the locker room with a commanding 35-13 lead.

“I have been playing the best that I can, putting all my effort into it, being aggressive, and working extremely hard to help my team win,” Mitchell said.

Hayden showed no signs of slowing down after the break.

The Wildcats came out firing in the third quarter, with Hailey Schmidtlein scoring nine consecutive points during a decisive run that pushed the lead to 44-15.

Hayden continued to stretch the margin, closing the quarter ahead 56-21 and triggering a running clock in the fourth.

Schmidtlein led Hayden with a game-high 18 points.

Junction City was led in scoring by Laniyah Warmack, who finished with 10 points.

The Blue Jays struggled all night to generate consistent offense against Hayden’s defensive pressure.

With the win, Hayden built momentum heading into a challenging road matchup on Tuesday against Topeka High.

The Trojans are coming off an impressive 45-26 win over Washburn Rural, though Hayden defeated Topeka High earlier this season, 51–40, at home.

“They’re a dangerous team with a lot of talent,” Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. “We’ll have to play good defense and move the ball well on offense.”

HAYDEN 61, JUNCTION CITY 23

Junction City 8 5 8 2 --23

Hayden 19 16 21 5 -- 61

Junction City (2-13 0-4) -- Warmack 4-8 2-2 10, Henry-Rivers 1-3 1-4 3, Pruitt 1-12 0-0 2, Riley 1-3 0-0 2, Nabus 1-1 0-0 2, Covington 2-4 0-0 2, Hatcher 0-1 0-0 0, Douglas 0-2 0-0 0, Allen 0-1 0-0 0, Briley 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 10-36 3-6 23.

Hayden (13-4 4-1) -- Schmidtlein 6-14 6-9 18, Walter 3-11 0-2 7, Foster 2-5 0-0 4, Watts 1-1 1-2 3, Huscher 0-0 0-0 0, Mitchell 3-5 2-4 10, Borjon 3-8 1-1 8, Wichman 3-6 1-2 7, Connell 2-8 0-0 4, Wrench 0-1 0-0, Slyter 0-1 0-2 0, Scheer 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-61 11-22 61.

3-point goals -- Hayden 4 (Mitchell 2, Walter, Borjon). Total Fouls -- Junction City 17, Hayden 10. Fouled out -- Pruitt.

Details: Created: 07 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 1-ranked Washburn University men's basketball team returns to the court for its first game in a week as the Ichabods travel to Warrensburg, Mo. to face Central Missouri on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Brett Ballard's No. 1-ranked Washburn Ichabods will put their 22-game winning streak on the line Saturday at Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn is 22-0 overall and 12-0 in the MIAA this season, -one of two remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division II along with Cal State East Bay after topping Nebraska-Kearney 89-67 last Saturday in Kearney.

The Mules are 17-7 this season and 8-4 in the MIAA and have won their last two games, including a 61-49 win at Fort Hays State last Saturday.

Washburn won the first meeting with the Mules 78-72 in double overtime on Dec. 13 in Lee Arena.

The Ichabods have the No. 1-ranked scoring offense in the MIAA, putting up 88.8 points per game.

Defensively, the Ichabods have the No. 2-ranked scoring defense in the MIAA, allowing 62.5 points per game.

The Ichabods are second in NCAA Division II in scoring margin at plus 27.9 points per game and are ranked second in field goal percentage at 51.7 percent and second in rebound margin at plus 11.5.

Washburn has not been out-rebounded in a game this season and has only been tied twice (Lubbock Christian and Emporia State).

Sophomore Dillon Claussen is ninth in the nation in field goal percentage at 63.2 percent and junior Jeremiah Jones leads the nation in total steals with 73 and is ranked third in steals per game at 3.32 per contest.

Claussen scored a career-high 27 points in Washburn's 89-67 win over Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday.

The Ichabods' 22-game winning streak is the longest in the nation, ahead of Cal St. East Bay's 20-game winning streak.

Washburn women's comeback falls short in 64-58 loss at Central Missouri

Wildcat boys drop 76-56 Centennial League decision to Junction City

No. 8-ranked Wildcat girls take 61-23 Centennial League win over Blue Jays

No. 1-ranked Washburn men face road test at Central Missouri

Washburn women to close out road swing at Central Missouri