The Washburn Ichabods men’s basketball team faced off against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Thursday, March 5, both vying for the chance to advance to the MIAA tournament semifinals.

Nearly four minutes into the game, Northwest Missouri State led with 8-2. Washburn’s sole basket came from Algie Key.

Shortly before the 12 minute mark Andy Wilson hit back-to-back 3-pointers, boosting Washburn to just a one-point deficit at the media timeout with a score of 12-11, Bearcats.

Minutes later, after a free throw and 3-pointer from Christian Ulsaker, the Ichabods took their first lead of the game with a 15-14 score at the 9:34 minute mark.

But the Bearcats responded with a 7-0 run and took command of the lead, which they held on to for the remainder of the first half.

The first half finished with Northwest Missouri State on top 34-27. The team shot 54 percent from the field, 60 percent from 3-poit range and had 14 rebounds.

Washburn shot 29 percent from the field in the first half, 27 percent from deep and pulled down 18 boards.

Key put the first points of the second half on the board just 10 seconds in, but after his field goal, Washburn hit a drought.

After the Bearcats went on a 12-0 rampage, Washburn was forced to call a timeout at the 14:02 minute mark.

Seven minutes later, Washburn still trailed by double digits. With Kyle Wiggins and Alex North shut down, having scored a combined total of five points, the Ichabods could not come back.

With the fall to the Bearcats, the Washburn men’s basketball team was knocked out of the MIAA tournament and their season came to a close.