Men’s basketball beats Baker, loses heartbreaker to Rockhurst

Trevor Beurman

With the third and fourth games of the regular season wrapped up for the Ichabods, a picture is starting to take shape on how this season looks so far. Right now, the Ichabods are 2-2 after losing a heartbreaker to Rockhurst University and winning against Baker University.

This should be no cause for alarm, however, as the losses suffered so far by the men’s team have been lost by slim margins. Considerably, the game against Rockhurst was lost on a buzzer beater and the loss to Northern State University was by twelve.

What is really intriguing is the way the Ichabods have played so far during the season. Brady Skeens is back to his usual self, averaging 31 points per game with 68 in field goal percentage and an accumulation of 43 rebounds.

Cameron Wiggins, another senior for the Ichabods is struggling during the start of the season. Wiggins is averaging 24 points and has set up a field goal percentage of 25.7 with a 24.1 percentage in three point field goals.

“Confidence is key. My team has confidence in me and my coaching staff as well,” Wiggins said, “shots will fall.”

During the game against Baker University the Ichabods got off to a slow start, but then cpped the game off with a 16-3 run midway through the second half. Washburn would not stop there as they built a 26 point lead.

“I thought our team played very well defensively against Baker, we kept them from running offense fluidly and comfortably,” said sophomore Clayton Holmberg.

The Ichabods would end up with the win against Baker, securing a 69-48 victory in Bret Ballard’s first game in Lee Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

After the game against Baker, the Ichabods would travel to Kansas City to take on a stingy Rockhurst University team.

The Ichabods would play a tight game the entire time on the court against Rockhurst, with Javion Blake and Brady Skeens leading the way for the Ichabods.

The game would come down to some key plays on both sides, seeing multiple three pointers and clutch shots to force a very competitive game near the last minutes.

The Ichabods would lose the playmaking side of the game, however, as the Hawks sank a three pointer at the end of the game, winning 89-87 on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Senior Cameron Wiggins says that all in all the way the Ichabods are going is true to form.

“We are figuring it out and we have all bought in to what [Ballard] is saying. So it will come to us,” Wiggins said.

Up next for the Ichabods is another game in Kansas City against Northwest Missouri State on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 8pm. The Bearcats are ranked number one in the country and the Ichabods will look to take them down for a Tuesday primetime matchup.