8 February 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Washburn played two close games its first day back at home after a long road stretch.
The men beat Missouri Western State, 64-63. The women fell, 72-59.
Men’s recap:
The men’s game had nine ties and seven lead changes, including three ties in the final 2:25.
Washburn entered the half down 38-30 after shooting 38 percent in the first half. The Ichabods cut the lead to two several times before the Griffons grew the lead to as many as 10. Sam Ungashick hit two free throws before the break to cut the margin to eight.
The two teams traded mini-runs until the last second. Jarmell Johnson hit the second of his two free throws with 2.7 seconds left in the game, putting Washburn up by one. Then, Brady Christiansen picked off the Griffons’ inbounds-pass to seal the win for the Ichabods. Washburn is a perfect 10-0 in homes games.
Women’s recap:
The Ichabods trailed 52-37 going into the fourth quarter, but they turned up their game.
Washburn had its most effective offensive quarter in the fourth, shooting 8-14 from the floor with two 3-pointers. However, the Griffons took the offensive punches and shot 8-17 for the quarter. After Missouri Western went up by 17, Washburn went on a 7-0 run to cut it to 10. Then, it cut it in single digits on a basket from Madelyn Amekporfor with 54 seconds left, but it was too late. Missouri Western wins, 72-59.
Next, both teams host Northwest Missouri State on Saturday.