By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn women's basketball team begins its home schedule with a non-conference matchup 7 p.m. against Benedictine College on Wednesday at Lee Arena.
The Ichabods went 1-1 in last weekend's season-opening MIAA/GAC Crossover Challenge in Weatherford, Okla., notching a 62-50 overtime win over Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday.
Benedictine is 5-1 to start the season and Wednesday's contest will be an exhibition for Benedictine while it will count towards Washburn's win-loss record.
Mackenzie Gamble is averaging 12.5 points and hit 5 of 10 3-point attempts against Oklahoma Baptist.
Hunter Bentley is averaging 12.0 and led Washburn in scoring with 20 points in Saturday's win, with eight coming in overtime.
Abby Oliver played all 40 minutes against Oklahoma Baptist and had personal-bests in rebounds (13) and steals (three) to go with 9 points.
Benedictine closed out the 2020-21 campaign with a record of 17-9 while going 14-5 in conference play.
Alleigh Kramer leads the Ravens' offense with a 10.3 average and shoots 56.1 percent from the field. She also grabs six rebounds per game and dishes out a team-high 3.5 assists.
Washburn leads the all-time series with Benedictin, 36-7, and has won the last 26 meetings.
The Ichabods last played the Ravens on Dec. 30, 2017 and won 77-52.
Washburn will play next at its Thanksgiving Classic Nov. 26-27, hosting Winona State and Rockhurst.