KEARNEY, Neb. – The Washburn Ichabods used a big first half run and pressure defense forcing 19 Nebraska-Kearney turnovers improving to 2-0 in a 73-62 win over the Lopers. Washburn will be back in action in its home opener on Nov. 30 when they will host Central Oklahoma at 6 p.m. in Lee Arena.
 
After trailing 10-9 with 11:01 to play in the first half the Ichabods (2-0, 2-0 MIAA) ripped off a 27-8 run to finish the half getting defensive holding the Lopers to 3 of 14 shooting including 1 of 7 from 3-point range. In the middle of the big run was a 16-0 spurt by Washburn as they shot 10 of 19 from the field and 4 of 7 from 3-point range after falling behind by one.
 
In the second half the Lopers (0-2, 0-2 MIAA) cut the lead to 11 at 51-40 with 9:43 to go in the game outscored UNK 14-6 over the next 4:38 pushing the lead back to 16 capped by a dunk by Jonny Clausing.
 
Clausing led all scorers with a game-high 25 points going 10 of 14 from the field adding five rebounds. Tyler Geiman had 13 points with eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Drew Maschoff scored 16 points and Connor Deffebaugh had a career-high eight rebounds scoring three.
 
Darren Nebeker led the Lopers with 17 points.
 
Washburn scored 50 of their 75 points in the paint while the Lopers scored 22. Washburn finished 29 of 62 from the field for a 47 percent clip holding the Lopers to 20 of 53 from the field. The Lopers were 8 of 31 from 3-point range while the Ichabods connected on 4 of 17.