The possibility of playing in the postseason still remains for the Wichita State women's basketball team.

After earning a berth in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitational last season, the Shockers are on a similar path this year.

Wichita State is 12-13, 6-8 in the Missouri Valley, and its schedule sets up favorably in the last four games. WSU made the WBI last year with a regular-season record of 16-13.

Tonight's matchup with Creighton, the Valley's second-place team, is the chance WSU needs to strengthen its resume. According to the official NCAA report, WSU has an RPI of 152.

"Getting to the postseason is always the goal for this program," said coach Jody Adams. "This season's schedule is tougher than last year's. I believe this team is ahead of where we were last year."

WSU has home dates left against Creighton and Drake, while it finishes the season on the road against Valley bottom-feeders Evansville and Southern Illinois.

Adams said the bare minimum to stay alive for a berth would be two more wins.

"But that's not what I'm looking at right now," Adams said. "The (Missouri Valley) tournament is still the most important thing for this program."

WSU is tied with Indiana State and Bradley at six wins, fifth place in the 10-team Valley. The bottom four teams in the standings land in the MVC tournament play-in games.

A total of 144 teams get postseason berths. A win against Creighton, with an MVC-best RPI of 51, would likely be the boost the Shockers need to make a push for the postseason.

The experience playing in the WBI last season was beneficial.

"It really helped us out coming into this season," WSU sophomore Chynna Turner said. "We were able to play longer, so we got to play together more. Forcing your body to play through the pain in crunch time, it was a good experience."

Creighton, which defeated WSU three times the last two seasons, is the only team in the Valley that Adams hasn't defeated in her three years.

"Every opportunity for this team is a valuable one," Adams said. "Creighton is a very good team. They bring three seniors in their starting lineup. They bring tradition. They've been there, done that. It's a great opportunity for our young team."