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TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods improved to 27-1 in Lee Arena home openers as they cruised to a 97-72 win over Peru State Monday night in Topeka. Washburn will be back in action as they will face Newman on Friday at 1 p.m. Ichabod head coach Bob Chipman will be going for win No. 700 in his Washburn coaching career.

Both teams shot about 54 percent in the first half as the Ichabods (3-2) took a 50-37 lead into the break. There were seven score ties and four lead changes in the first 20 minutes and the Bobcats (1-8) would lead by as many as three at 5-2, but it would be a short-lived advantage last one Ichabod possession and 18 seconds when Washburn's Will McNeill quickly tied the score on his first 3-pointer of the night. Washburn would go on to lead by as many as 13 in the first half with the largest margin coming on a lay up with 30 seconds to go by McNeill wrapping up his 13th point of the half.

In the second half, the Ichabods continued to burn the nets hitting 20 of 34 shots connecting on 59 percent of their shots overall while going 4 of 5 from 3-point range as the Ichabods stretched their lead out to as many as 27 in the final frame.

McNeill led three Ichabods in double figures scoring 21 points. Alex North scored 14 and Martin Mitchell scored 13. Bobby Chipman scored nine points while pulling down a game-high eight rebounds tying a career-high with three blocks. The Ichabods recorded 15 steals forcing 25 Bobcat turnovers. McNeill finished with a career-high seven steals to pace Washburn. All 13 Ichabods suited up for the game scored.

Derrick Williams scored 25 to lead the Bobcats. Peter Knudson scored 15 and Eric Donald scored 13 off the bench.

Washburn finished 40 of 71 from the field hitting 56 percent of their shots in the game while the Bobcats were just under 50 percent at 49 after hitting 26 of 53 shots. Washburn held a 32 to 27 advantage on the glass while recording 25 fast break points compared to four for the Bobcats.