Ichabods Can’t Overcome Slow Start Against Blue Tigers

The Washburn Ichabods missed their first eight shots of the game but had a chance to win it at the buzzer as a 3-point shot rimmed out as the Ichabods fell for the first time since 1968 to the Lincoln Blue Tigers in a 75-73 loss snapping a 28-game winning streak by the Ichabods.

The Blue Tigers led the entire game building a lead as many as 13 with 12:11 to go in the first half at 20-7. Washburn (14-5, 7-3 MIAA) would then use a 20 to 9 run over the next 8:44 to trim the Lincoln (14-5, 7-3 MIAA) lead to two at 29-27 before pushing the lead back to seven at the break leading 36-29.

Washburn came out in the second half on a 12-3 run and tied the score at 41 with 16:54 remaining but again Lincoln stretched the lead out to 12 at 59-47. After an Ichabod timeout, Washburn ripped off an 11-0 run cutting the lead back to one, but Lincoln pushed the margin back to eight with 5:40 to play.

Washburn trimmed the deficit back to three with 1:22 to go on a pair of Javion Blake free throws however the Blue Tigers hit four of their final five in the final 23 seconds to hold a two-point lead at 75-73. After a missed attempt by Terrance Smith with five seconds to go, Tyler Geiman’s 3-point attempt from about 25 feet hit the back of the rim as time expired.

Blake led the Ichabods with a game-high 26 points adding eight rebounds, three steals and three assists. David Salachscored 14 with six rebounds and Will McKee scored 11. Geiman had five points and seven rebounds.

Amariontez Ivory had 21 points to lead the Blue Tigers who won in Topeka for the first time since Dec. 28, 1967 and for the first time ever in Lee Arena (1-15).

Washburn finished 40 percent from the game from the field hitting 25 of 62 shots while the Blue Tigers were 27 of 55 overall at 49 percent. Washburn was 14 of 20 from the free throw line while the Blue Tigers were 11 of 17 overall. The Ichabods held a 38 to 35 advantage on the glass and committed nine turnovers to the Blue Tigers’ 15.

The Ichabods will return to the court in Lee Arena on Saturday when they will host Lindenwood at 3 p.m