Topeka, Kan. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball program picked up their 23rd win of the season Thursday, in Lee Arena 71-56 behind a career game from Mia Topping.

The Lions (23-6, 15-6 MIA) were led by Topping with a career-high 23 points going 6-for-10 from the field and a perfect 10-for-10 from free throws while adding three steals and a block in 23 minutes. Lacy Stokes had 15 points and nine rebounds, Madi Stokes chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Ronnie Ressel also picked up his 103rd career win to pass Scott Ballard for the third most wins by a head coach in program history.

Washburn (11-16, 7-14 MIAA) was led by Gabi Artis with 14 points.

In the first quarter the Lions utilized a 13-2 run near the end of the quarter to take a lead and extend it to 22-16 following a pair of Topping free throws with 1:28 left. Topping would score again with 1:01 left to make it a seven point game but the Ichabods scored twice in the final minute including a buzzer beater as the Lions held onto a 24-20 lead. 

The second quarter saw a career achievement and two single-season records fall as with 8:33 left in the quarter Madi Stokes swatted away her 63rd block of the season to pass Zoe Campbell (19-20) for the single-season record. With 5:29 left in the quarter Layne Skiles eclipsed 1,000 career points with her 172nd career three, becoming the 16th Lion in program history, moved her past Melissa Grider (93-96) for third most in a career and was the 222nd made three for the team this season to set a new record.

Coming out of the half up 41-29 the Lions raced out to a 13 point lead, 47-34 with 5:55 left in the third quarter following a Kaitlin Hunnicutt pull up jumper. Southern would end the quarter up 13, 59-46 as Topping scored her 15th point of the game with 23 seconds left in the quarter that capped off an 8-4 run.

In the fourth quarter Washburn got out to a 9-2 run to close the lead down to six but the Lions response was a 10-1 run to finish the game. Washburn was held without a made basket for the last five minutes with Southern able to claim the 71-56 win.

For the game the Lions held the advantage over the Ichabods in field goal percentage 44.8-39.0, free throws made 16-6, free throw percentage 88.9-44.4, steals 9-4, bench points 31-11, fast break points 6-0, points off turnovers 31-12 and points in the paint 38-22.

Up next for the Lions will be Northwest Missouri in Maryville, Mo. on Saturday to end the regular season as tip-off is set for 1:30pm from Bearcat Arena. Southern has qualified for their 28th MIAA Tournament and will face off with rival Pittsburg State on Friday, March. 3rd in Kansas City, Mo. as tip-off in the 4v5 matchup is set for 6:00pm inside historic Municipal Auditorium. 

The Missouri Southern women's basketball season is presented by People's Bank of Seneca, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.

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