TOPEKA, Kan. – De’Andre Washington led four Ichabods in double figures as Washburn keeps its postseason hopes alive with a 77-61 win over Pittsburg State. Washburn (14-12, 8-11 MIAA) will face Emporia State with the winner guaranteeing a berth in the MIAA championship tournament.

The Ichabods led by nine at the break by a score of 35 to 26 after shooting 55 percent in the first half connecting on 12 of 22 attempts. The Gorillas were 11 of 25 for a 44 percent average.

The Gorillas would not get any closer than five in the second half at 48-43. With Washburn leading by six at 54-48 with 7:47 to go, the Gorillas’ Spencer Magana, who just hit a 3-pointer, was whistled for a technical on a drive by Logan StutzStutz hit four straight free throws pushing the lead to 10 and Washburn kept the Gorillas in a double digit deficit the remainder of the game stretching the lead to as many as 18 late in the second half.

Washington scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half to lead the Ichabods and take game-high honors. William McNeill scored 15 points while hitting 8 of 10 free throws. Stutz finished with 11 points and Nate Daniels scored 10 points. Maurice Colter added a game-high seven rebounds.

Rodney Grace led the Gorillas with 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Ichabods now sit in eighth in the MIAA standings with one game to play. Emporia State has an 8-10 conference record and Northwest Missouri has a 7-11 record. The Ichabods can clinch a spot in the MIAA tournament with a win at Emporia State (8-10 MIAA) or a loss by Northwest Missouri in each of their final two games. The Bearcats have remaining games at Southwest Baptist on Feb. 23 and at home against Missouri Southern on Feb. 27. Emporia State will play on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Fort Hays State to wrap up the regular season. The Ichabods wrap up the regular season at ESU on Wednesday.