Coming off a 41-point win earlier in the week the Washburn University Men’s basketball team was 9-1 and looking to get into double digit wins for the season. After beginning the season on an eight-game winning streak they were looking to start another. To do so they would have to knock off the visiting Pittsburg State Gorillas who entered the game at an even 5-5 on the season.

While still deploying a small lineup, the Ichabods pushed the pace to begin the game and looked to get shots from the outside. Those opportunities ended well for freshman Levi Braun who knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter. Unfortunately for the Ichabods, Braun was the only one to connect in the quarter. On the other end, Pitt State used their size to battle inside and create shots outside which resulted in a 21-18 lead for the Gorillas after a quarter.

“Levi did a great job coming off that bench and giving us that spark and playing with confidence, I’m more surprised when he misses it then when he makes it at this point,” said Washburn Head Coach Brett Ballard.

In the last ten minutes of the half the Ichabods turned up the defensive pressure holding the Gorillas to seven points in the last 8:30 of the half. Finally, they were able to break through with just under 90 seconds left in the half after senior Rathen Carter hit a three. That lead would hold and Washburn entered the half leading 33-31.

Each team traded baskets to start the second half, with the Ichabods always keeping the lead but never able to fully break the game open early on. However, once the three pointers started falling for Washburn, particularly sophomore Conor Deffebaugh, who had two threes early in the half, they were able to extend the lead to nine points with just over ten minutes remaining.

In the back part of the half, it was sophomore Tyler Nelson who had the outside shot falling, after his back-to-back three pointers gave the Ichabods a 12-point lead.

“My teammates did a really good job of finding me, you know creating, driving, drawing defenders and then passing it out to me,” said Nelson, who ended the game with 16 points.

It was a group effort down the stretch to close the game led by senior Tyler Geiman who controlled the offense and led the team with 19 points. The offensive burst at the end resulted in a victory going away with a final score of 84-62.

The Ichabods will now have a full week off before traveling to Emporia State on Saturday January 23 to take on the Hornets and try to move to 11-1 on the season.

Edited by: Matthew L. Self