For the sixth time in the last seven years, the third-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team will play in the MIAA Women's Basketball Championship semifinals Saturday evening (March 9). The Tigers will take on Washburn University beginning at 6 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
 
The Tigers (28-1) advanced to Saturday's semifinal round after a 71-58 victory over Missouri Western on Thursday. As a result of earning the top seed, the Tigers got a day to rest and recover while watching Washburn (20-9) outduel Emporia State Friday night, 61-53.

Fort Hays State has reached the MIAA semifinals more than any other program over the last seven seasons (UCM 5, ESU 5).
 
Fort Hays State won the lone regular season meeting between these two in-state rivals, building a big lead in the first half and holding on down the stretch to knock off the Ichabods in Topeka in front of a national audience, as the game was broadcast as a part of the NCAA DII Basketball Showcase.
 
Washburn holds a 47-34 lead in the all-time series with Fort Hays State, including a 2-0 Ichabod lead in neutral site meetings. The Tigers have controlled the series of late, winning eight of the last 10 matchups. Washburn defeated the Tigers in their lone meeting in the MIAA Championships back in 2009, Fort Hays State's first game in an MIAA tournament. Tony Hobson is 9-12 against the Ichabods.
 
The Tigers are 13-0 on Saturday this season. A win in the semis would be Hobson's 100th Saturday victory as a Tiger.
 
Washburn advanced to the semifinals after holding on to defeat Emporia State on Friday, 61-53. The win gave the 20-9 Ichabods a two-game winning streak. WU sits in the middle of the pack in the league offensively, ranking seventh with 68.5 points per game. However, they give up the third-fewest points in the MIAA, allowing just 61.9 points each outing. Second team All-MIAA performer Reagan Phelan leads the league with 4.8 assists per contest. Taylor Blue is one of three 'Bods averaging in double figures, putting up a team-best 12.3 every night.