HAYS, Kan. – The No. 1-ranked Washburn Ichabods survived a late push and an overtime test from the Fort Hays State, pulling away in the extra frame for an 81–73 win Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum to remain undefeated improving to 21-0 overall and 11-0 in MIAA play, while the Tigers fell to 15-5 overall and 7-4 in league action. Washburn will continue the road trip on Saturday at Nebraska-Kearney.

Washburn led 47-46 with 10:31 to go in regulation before Fort Hays State went on a 12–3 run, taking a 58-50 lead with 5:13 to go. Washburn trailed by six with 55 seconds to play before a Bryson Smith layup and a Jeremiah Jones steal and layup cutting the Tigers' lead to 66-64 with 29 seconds to go. The Tigers hit two more charity stripes with 20 seconds left, going back up two, but again Smith scored on a drive with 14 seconds left. The Tigers drew a foul with 13 seconds to play, leading by two, but missed both free throws, and after a Jones rebound, Dillon Claussen was fouled with 0.9 seconds to play, and he connected on both free throws, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra session, Washburn outscored the Tigers 13–5, holding Fort Hays State, who received votes in this week's NABC Top 25 Coaches Poll, without a field goal in overtime while converting 5-of-6 free throws and forcing a pair of turnovers. Washburn only trailed by one at 69-68, but had six points from Smith and five from Bachelor, including a 3-pointer with 39 seconds to play, with the Ichabods holding a one-point lead. On the Tigers' ensuing possession, Jones swiped another ball and went the distance with a dunk as Washburn would lead 79-73 with 31 seconds. Smith wrapped up the scoring with two free throws with 22 seconds to play, sealing the win.

The Ichabods shot 24-of-62 (39 percent) from the field, and finished 28-of-39 (72 percent) at the free-throw line. Washburn held a 36–28 advantage in points in the paint and added 14 second-chance points while forcing 16 Tiger turnovers. Fort Hays State shot 23-of-58 (40 percent) overall and 6-of-18 (33 percent) from three-point range, but went 0-for-5 from the field in overtime.

Brady Christiansen led the Ichabods with 18 points going 10 of 12 from the free throw line adding five boards. Bachelor logged 42 minutes and led Washburn with 17 points with three assists and two steals and Jones recorded his first double double as an Ichabod with 14 points and 14 rebounds adding four steals. Smith tallied 16 points with six boards going 8 of 9 from the free throw line, while Dillon Claussen added nine points and seven rebounds.

Fort Hays State was led by Dan Mukuna with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Kyle Grill had 13 points and eight rebounds.

Washburn held the lead for 32:00 of game time and recorded six lead changes and seven ties, with its largest lead coming at 10 points in both halves.

Washburn also outrebounded the Tigers 45-38 including 16 on the offensive end for the Ichabods.

Notes:
• The Ichabods have the third-longest road game winning streak in the nation at eight. Michigan Tech has won its last 10 and Eastern New Mexico has won its last eight.
• The 21-game winning streak by the Ichabods is the fourth-longest in program history.
• Washburn started the 2024-25 season 21-0 before losing its 23rd game of the season.
• Washburn improved to 47-40 in overtime games and 3-5 against the Tigers in overtime games.
• Brett Ballard is 9-7 in overtime games as the Ichabod head coach.
• The 14 rebounds by Jeremiah Jones were a career-high, as were the 12 field goal attempts.
• Jones has 70 steals this season, the Ichabod single season record is 82, set by Will McNeill in 2012-13. Ahead of Jones on the chart is Michael Keegan, who had 73 last season.
• Bryson Smith tied a career-high with six rebounds against the Tigers.
• Brady Christiansen's 10 free throws and 12 free throw attempts were both career highs.