MARYVILLE, Mo. – The top-ranked Washburn Ichabods men's basketball team continued its perfect start to the season Saturday afternoon, pulling away in the second half for a 76–53 road win over Northwest Missouri State at Bearcat Arena. The Ichabods improved to 16–0 overall and 6–0 in MIAA play, leading wire-to-wire in the matchup.

Washburn jumped out quickly, scoring the first 10 points of the game and holding the Bearcats without a field goal for nearly three minutes jumping out to a 21-2 lead at the 12:38 mark of the opening half. The Bearcats clawed back into the game, trimming the Ichabod advantage to two at 29-27 with 1:33 to play before the Ichabods closed the half on a 7-0 run taking a 36–27 lead into break. Washburn dominated the paint early, outscoring the Bearcats 24 to 2 while the Bearcats connected finished the first 20 minutes with nine field goals as seven were hit for 3-pointers.

Washburn pushed its lead to 11 at 41-30 with 19:02 to play in the game before the Bearcats (9-8, 2-4 MIAA) hit back-to-back 3-pointers cutting the lead back to three with 16:19 to play. After a free throw by Bryson Smith, a basket from Jack Ratigan cut the lead down to two with 14:47 remaining. Washburn outscored the Bearcats 22 to 7 opening a 64-47 lead with 7:41 to play. Northwest scored the next two points of the game, and then another 9-0 spurt by Washburn stretched the lead to 73-49.

For the game, Washburn shot 30-of-59 from the field (50.8%), including a strong 26-of-39 (66.7%) on two-point attempts, leading to a 50 to 14 advantage in points in the paint.. The Ichabods went 4-of-20 from three-point range (20.0%) and 12-of-16 at the free-throw line (75.0%).

Washburn held Northwest to 40.0% shooting overall limiting the Bearcats to only three second half 3-pointers. Washburn also dominated on the glass winning the rebounding battle 43 to 21.

Individually, Bryson Smith led all scorers with 16 points, knocking down 6-of-11 shots, adding three assists and two steals in 31 minutes. Dillon Claussen delivered a strong all-around performance with 10 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, recording his third double-double of his career. 

Jeremiah Jones added 12 points, hitting 5-of-10 shots from the floor, while also contributing seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sam Ungashick chipped in seven points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Ichabods will return to action at Emporia State on Jan. 15 facing the Hornets for the second time in 12 days.