SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The newly-named No. 1-ranked Washburn delivered a dominant performance against No. 4 West Texas A&M, pulling away early and never looking back in a 74–48 victory at Bill Greehey Arena as the Ichabods topped their second No. 4-ranked opponent in a row. The Ichabods improved to 13-0 and will return to action in the new year facing an old foe as Emporia State will come to Lee Arena on Jan. 3 as the Ichabods continue MIAA play.

Washburn seized control in the opening minutes, answering an early WTAM push with a 12–0 run midway through the first half to flip momentum. The Ichabods shot a sizzling 58.6 percent from the floor in the first half and knocked down seven three-pointers, stretching the lead to 44–24 at the break. The Ichabods turned 11 Buffs turnovers in the first half into 19 points leading to a 16-0 advantage in fastbreak points.

Jack Bachelor and Jeremiah Jones led the Ichabod first-half charge with a balanced scoring attack with 10 points each and Tyson Ruud added nine. Bachelor's first basket of the game – a 3-pointer with 15:33 to go in the frame – pushed himself over the career 1,000-point mark at Washburn becoming the 30^th Ichabod in program history to reach the scoring plateau.

The Ichabods maintained control in the second half, weathering a brief West Texas A&M push before responding with timely baskets and defensive stops. Washburn outscored the Buffs 30–24 after the break, holding WTAM to 33.3 percent (6 of 18) shooting while continuing to generate offense off turnovers and in the paint. The lead ballooned to as many as 27 points late, sealing the win.

Bachelor paced Washburn with a game-high 19 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 at the line, while adding five assists. Jones added 10 points, two assists and three steals, and Ruud contributed nine points on 4-of-5 shooting with four rebounds. Dillon Claussen recorded nine points and nine rebounds, and Sam Ungashick scored 10 off the bench.

As a team, Washburn shot 50 percent (27 of 54) from the field, holding West Texas A&M to 36.4 percent shooting (16 of 44), and won decisively in points off turnovers (34 to 13) and fast-break scoring (25 to 1). Washburn also outrebounded the Buffs 38 to 26.

Fontaine Williams was the only Buff (10-2) to reach double figures with 15 points.

Notes:
• Jack Bachelor now has 1,017 career points in his 77 career games played … he is tied with former teammate Michael Keegan on the all-time scoring chart at No. 24 overall.
• Ichabod head coach Brett Ballard recorded his 500^th career win while on a basketball staff as a head coach, assistant coach or staff member in today's win.
• The Ichabods held the Buffs to a season-low 48 points in the win – WT's previous low was 76 as the Buffs entered the game averaging 92.6 ppg.