TOPEKA, Kan. – The No. 2 ranked Washburn Ichabods led for all but 19 seconds in a 96-66 win over Northwest Missouri on Saturday afternoon in Lee Arena. Washburn, who improved to 15-0 (6-0 MIAA) on the season will host Emporia State on Wednesday night in Lee Arena as the likely No. 1-ranked team in the country after previous No. 1 Nova Southeastern lost earlier this week on the road to Palm Beach Atlantic.
 
Washburn jumped out to a 9-1 lead and never looked back as the Ichabods snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Bearcats in Lee Arena recording their first win since Feb. 9, 2013 in an 80-67 victory. After the initial burst by the Bearcats (4-11, 2-4 MIAA) pulled within three at 13-10 with 14:39 to play in the opening half before an Ichabods 11-3 run with points by four different Ichabods propelled Washburn to a 48-30 lead at the break.
 
Washburn shot 59 percent in the opening half hitting 19 of 32 shots while holding the Bearcats to 33 percent shooting on 8 of 24 from the field.
 
Washburn scored 12 of the first 16 points of the second half starting the frame 5 of 5 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers by Jack Bachelor followed by a swipe and steal dunk by Michael Keegan putting the Ichabods up 60-34 just before the first media timeout. Another 3-pointer by Bachelor pushed the lead to 27 and Northwest would get no closer than 23 the rest of the way before the Ichabods stretched out the final margin to as many as 34 with 70 seconds to play in the game.
 
All five Ichabod starters reached double figures led by Brayden Shorter's 18 points. Andrew Orr had 16 with fie boards and Jacob Hanna had 13 points with four steals. Bachelor had 11 points adding five assists. Brady Christiansen had seven points and a game-tying-high six rebounds.
 
Northwest was led by Trey Moala's 13 points and six boards.
 
Washburn finished 60 percent from the field connecting on 39 of 65 shots overall holding the Bearcats to 39 percent at 22 of 57 made attempts. Washburn also outrebounded the Bearcats 34 to 33 and forced 18 Northwest turnovers leading to 27 Ichabod points. Washburn also outscored the Bearcats 58 to 32 in the paint while shooting a blistering hot 31 of 42 from the field on 2-point baskets for a 74 percent clip.
 
Notes:
• The win snapped a seven-game overall winning streak by the Bearcats.
• The Ichabods have not been ranked No. 1 in the nation since Jan. 27, 1992. Washburn was also ranked No. in the nation on Jan. 13, 1992 for the only two weeks in the top spot.
• The 30-point win was the largest by an Ichabod team over Northwest since a 31-point win on March 2, 1993 in Topeka.