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TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods rallied from an Emporia State 19- point lead with 14:42 to play in the game cutting the margin down to three but could not get any closer in a 78-63 loss to the Hornets. Washburn (15-12, 11-9 MIAA) will now wait until after Saturday's action in the MIAA to see who and what time they will play in the first round of the conference tournament beginning on Thursday for the men.

The Hornets hit 50 percent of their shots in the first half hitting 15 of 30 from the field including 7 of 14 from 3-point range taking a 41-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. Washburn was held to 35 percent shooting connecting on 8 of 23 attempts from the field.

With ESU holding a 54-35 lead with 14:42 to play, Washburn put together a 20-4 run over the next 8:38 of the game to pull within three at 58-55 with 6:06 to go on a 3-pointer by Paul Byers. After a jumper by ESU's Lamar Wilbern, the Ichabods again cut the deficit to three on a lay up by DeAndre Eggins, but not closer as the Hornets outscored the Ichabods 18 to 6 the remainder of the game.

Byers led Washburn with 17 points going over the 800-point mark for his career, which now stands at 809 points. He also led the Ichabods on the boards with eight. James Williams scored 14.

ESU's trio of Jeremiah Box, Robert Moores and Wilbern combined to score 61 of the Hornets 78 points with Box and Moores each scoring 21 and Wilbern finishing with 19.

ESU finished 27 of 53 from the field hitting 51 percent of their attempts while Washburn was 22 of 56 for 39 percent shooting. ESU scored 16 points off 12 Ichabod turnovers.