Box Score (XML) | Box Score (HTML)
Season Stats (Interactive) | Season Stats (HTML)
Career Stats (HTML) 
Tweet #WeAreWU

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn's Alex North scored a career-high 31 points going 9 of 12 from the field but it wasn't enough as the Ichabods let a double digit lead slip away in a 90-84 loss to Nebraska-Kearney. The Ichabods will look to rebound at Central Oklahoma on Thursday in Edmond.

As was the case in the first meeting 10 days ago, Washburn built an early lead going up by as many as 12 in the first half before taking a 46-39 lead into the halftime break. Both teams shot above 50 percent from the field as the Ichabods were 15 of 24 for a 63 percent average while the Lopers were 14 of 28 overall. Washburn led by 14 in the first meeting in Kearney on Jan. 30 with 3:33 to play in the first half before losing 88-79.

In the second half, Washburn scored the first points of the half taking a nine point lead and then the Lopers chipped into the Ichabod lead coming back to tie the score at 57 with 11:18 to play.  With Washburn holding a one point lead at 61-60 with 9:47 to play, North would score 10 of the Ichabods' next 12 points capping the scoring run with a 3-pointer with 7:21 remaining putting Washburn up 71-67 with 6:54 to play, however the Lopers would go on a 20-6 run over the next 6:36 of the game as Washburn wnet cold from the field going 0 of 9 down the stretch including missing all four 3-pointers while the Lopers were 4 of 6 from the field going 12 of 13 from the free throw line.

Washburn did cut the lead to three at 85-82 with 27 seconds to play after another 3-pointer by North but the Lopers finished 5 of 6 from the free throw line in the last 22 seconds to hold on for the winning sweeping the regular season series.

North finished with a game-high 31 points going 9 of 12 from the field including 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 9 of 12 from the free throw line for his highwater point mark in a Washburn uniform. He also tied a career-high with four steals adding three assists. Kyle Wiggins had 19 with six assists and Korey Fisher had 11.

Connor Beranek had 18 to lead six Lopers in double figures adding 10 rebounds.

Washburn finished 27 of 62 overall cooling off to 32 percent shooting in the second half (12 of 38) while the Lopers continued their hot shooting from the first half going 13 of 24 finishing the game at 52 percent overall. The Lopers attempted 38 free throws hitting 29 while the Ichabods were 24 of 30 in the game. Washburn turned the ball over a season-low five times in the game. Washburn was also outrebounded 37 to 32 in the loss.

The loss leaves the Ichabods in fifth place in the MIAA standings. The top four teams receive an automatic bye to Kansas City while seeds 5-12 will have a play-in game. Seeds 5-8 will host the play in game on March 4.