{{tncms-inline content=”<p><span>“We played amazing. This is probably one of the best games we have had since we beat the number one team my freshman year.” -Javion Blake</span></p>” id=”8d60c48f-2d2d-4ddb-ac3a-4cf75b2ef1b9″ style-type=”quote” title=”Blake Pull Quote” type=”relcontent”}}

The men’s basketball team continued their undefeated conference record Jan. 13, beating the University of Central Oklahoma on their home court. It was a tough fought game and it ultimately came down to the final seconds in regulation.

Both teams struggled to score at the start as it became a battle of defenses early on. Both Washburn and UCO were deadlocked at two points the entire first five minutes of the game struggling to get past each other’s defensive fronts.

With UCO breaking the deadlock 14 minutes into the first half, the offenses began clicking on both sides as the game continued on. Washburn continued to fare better on defense, however, as senior Brady Skeens pulled down 11 defensive rebounds the entire first half.

“I would say we did [win the defensive battle]. We held them to 14 points I believe, and if we hold teams like that every time around then we can be successful every game the whole year,” Skeens said.

As halftime started to roll in, the Ichabods had a clear lead over the Bronchos, holding them to 14 alongside Washburn’s 26 on the board for a 26-14 halftime score.

UCO would head to the locker room looking and wanting more as the Ichabods seemed to lock up the game with a powerful first half. The lead would not remain however as Washburn would go cold out the gates in the second half.

The Bronchos would go on a 9-0 run to start the second half, cutting Washburn down to just a three point lead.

{{tncms-inline alignment=”left” content=”<p>Javion Blake</p> <p>13 Points</p> <p>4-8 Field Goals</p> <p>2-4 Three Point Field Goals</p> <p>30 Minutes</p>” id=”e20d284b-c6f0-4977-8f29-e9d2ad9b37da” style-type=”bio” title=”Performance of the Night” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}

The battle would be fought neck and neck from there on out with UCO seemingly coming alive in the second half against Washburn’s still prolific defense. Junior Javion Blake, a major factor in this game, would end up with 13 total points and multiple efforts to the basket when Washburn needed it most.

He would also become the 24th Ichabod in history to score 1,000 points in his entire career, cementing his legacy as an Ichabod.

“[This accomplishment] is important but I will take the team win over 1,000 points any day,” Blake said.

{{tncms-inline alignment=”left” content=”<p>Washburn is the fifth-winningest program in NCAA Division II history by victories.</p>” id=”65e523ff-3f86-4126-bc84-a8ad34f120b0″ style-type=”question” title=”Did You Know?” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}

The Ichabods would end up pulling away with the win in the end as UCO could send the game into overtime or win it with the final shot. Washburn would continue their undefeated conferenced record that now stands at 8-0 on the season with their 49-47 win over the Bronchos.

“We played amazing. This is probably one of the best games we have had since we beat the number one team my freshman year,” Blake said.

The Ichabods have been very successful in conference play, staying undefeated with nationally ranked Northwest Missouri State looming around the corner as most likely the biggest game of the conference season.

{{tncms-inline content=”<p>Washburn @ Missouri Southern State University</p> <p>Wednesday, January 17th</p> <p>Leggett & Platt Athletic Center</p> <p>7:30pm</p>” id=”8143707c-9e57-4936-8535-279d06b15326″ style-type=”fact” title=”Up Next…” type=”relcontent”}}

Looking to stay undefeated in conference, the Ichabods will continue to look for Javion Blake for his record-setting offensive production against Missouri Southern State University.

{{tncms-inline content=”<p>You can catch the game against Missouri Southern State on 106.9 FM KTPK</p>” id=”c60d9ddd-490e-4d67-b202-af9a518d1c2b” style-type=”refer” title=”More Coverage” type=”relcontent”}}