Lions Top Ichabods in Shootout

Washburn started out cold and had an icy stretch in the second half as they let a 14-point lead slip away after trailing by as many 13 in the first half in an 89-86 loss at Missouri Southern. Washburn returns to action on Saturday at Pittsburg State.

With Washburn holding a 66-52 lead with 12:25 to go, the Lions would go on a 21 to 7 run over the next 5:38 as MSSU tied the score at 73 with 6:47 to go. Washburn was 2 of 8 during the run and the Lions were 5 of 7 from the field and 9 of 9 from the free throw line. Overall the Lions were 27 of 28 from the free throw line including a 21 of 21 performance in the second half.

A 3-pointer by Devyn Wilson tied the score at 80 with 2:57 remaining, but the Lions answered with a 3 of their own with 2:33 left.  The Ichabods cut the lead to one on three different occasions in the final two minutes, including 87-86 with five seconds to go but the Lions hit another pair of free throws and a 3-pointer from the top of the key by the Ichabods as time expired missed as the Lions picked up the three-point win.

The Ichabods (13-4, 6-2 MIAA) got out to a frigid start from the field missing their first eight shots from the field falling behind 9-0 and eventually 17-4 with 13:40 to go in the frame. But Jalen Lewis entered the game and jump started his own personal 15 to 5 run over the Lions hitting five straight 3-pointers cutting the lead to 22-19 with 10:20 to go.

It was Tyler Geiman’s turn next from deep as he broke a 35-all tie with 3:18 to go with back to back treys of his own putting Washburn up 38-37 as the Ichabods would lead by as many as five at 44-39 with under a minute to go before taking a 45-41 advantage into the break.

Lewis led the Ichabods with a career-high 20 points hitting 6 of 8 3-pointers going 7 of 10 overall from the field and Geiman had a career-best 19 hitting 5 of 7 3-pointers. Javion Blake scored 15 and Tyas Martin had 10.

Kinzer Lambert to lead the Lions (15-4, 6-3 MIAA) and Cam Martin had a double double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Washburn finished 32 of 70 from the field hitting 13 of 24 3-pointers and was 9 of 12 from the free throw line. The Lions were 26 of 51 overall hitting 10 of 20 3-pointers and missing only one free throw in the game connecting on 27 of 28.

The Lions held a 35 to 30 advantage on the glass and turned the ball over 14 times in the game while the Ichabods only committed six.