TOPEKA, Kan. – The No. 2-ranked Washburn erased multiple deficits and outlasted Central Missouri in a double-overtime thriller 78-72 on Saturday afternoon at Lee Arena to remain unbeaten as Brady Christian scored eight points in the second overtime to move Washburn to 11-0 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play.
The Ichabods leaned on balanced scoring, timely defense and clutch execution over the final 10 minutes in the two overtime periods, finishing the game with a decisive 15-9 advantage in the second overtime after the teams were deadlocked at 63 following the first extra period.
Washburn trailed by as many as seven points in the first half but closed the opening period strong and carried that momentum into the second half, where the game tightened into a possession-by-possession battle. Washburn shot 42.3 percent in the second half and forced key turnovers late to send the game to overtime tied at 56.
In the first overtime, Washburn matched Central Missouri point for point, shooting 46.2 percent and knocking down four three-pointers. Dillon Claussen sparked the Ichabods with aggressive drives and a go-ahead three-point play late in the period, while Jeremiah Jones delivered momentum-shifting defense recording seven steals in the game leading directly to transition points. Still, the teams finished the extra session even at 7-7, forcing a second overtime.
Washburn took control for good in the second overtime. Claussen opened the period with a free throw and followed with strong finishes at the rim as part of a game-defining 9-0 run that stretched the lead to six. Christiansen and Jack Bachelor combined to go 7-of-10 at the foul line in the second overtime, while Claussen capped the run with a fast-break dunk off a Jones steal to push the margin to 78-69 in the final seconds. Washburn shot 50.0 percent in the second overtime and outscored Central Missouri 15-9 in the decisive frame.
Claussen led all Washburn scorers with 21 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 40 minutes. Jones finished with 13 points and seven steals. Bachelor chipped in 16 points, while Christiansen added 12 points overall with a team-high eight rebounds. Tyson Ruud provided a spark off the bench with nine points and seven boards.
As a team, Washburn held a 44-18 advantage in points in the paint, turned 23 Central Missouri turnovers into key scoring opportunities and finished with a 19-11 edge in fast-break points. Washburn outscored the Mules 12-0 in the paint in the overtime periods and hit 7 of 10 free throws in overtime. Washburn also forced the Mules into five turnovers in the overtime frames while committing zero in the extra minutes.
The Ichabods will step out of MIAA play, traveling to San Antonio, Texas for the annual River City Holiday Classic facing No. 4 ranked Lubbock Christian on Dec. 16 and wrapping up the 2025 calendar year with No. 8 ranked West Texas A&M the following day. Washburn then returns to MIAA play hosting Emporia State on Jan. 3 opening the 2026 calendar.
NOTES:
• Washburn moved to 46-40 all-time in overtime games and 1-3 against Central Missouri in overtime games.
• Washburn is now 4-5 in double overtime games playing its first double overtime game since an 82-75 win over Missouri Southern in Topeka on Feb. 4, 2006.
• Dillon Claussen tied a career-high with four blocks and his 14 field goal attempts were a career-high as were his two 3-pointers.
