Basketball Game Preview: Washburn Pirates vs. Lebanon Pioneers

The Washburn Pirates will take on the Lebanon Pioneers in a holiday battle at at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Washburn is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.2 points per game this season.

Washburn took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Monday. They really took it to University School for the full four quarters, racking up a 56-21 win. The Pirates have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won five contests by 23 points or more this season.

Washburn got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Saylor Clay out in front who went 8 of 15 on her way to 24 points. That's the most points Clay has posted since back in January. The team also got some help courtesy of Hannah Williams, who went 5 of 12 on her way to 15 points in addition to eight boards and five steals.

Meanwhile, Lebanon had to endure a five-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. The stars were shining brightly for them in a 43-26 win over Chilhowie on Wednesday.

Washburn pushed their record up to 7-2 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 26.3 points per game. As for Lebanon, their win ended a 12-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-5.