Box Score

Washburn, ranked 13th in the nation, escaped Hays with a one-point win on Thursday evening (Jan. 10) in Hays by a score of 70-69. A pair of free-throws with 19 seconds remaining were the difference for the Ichabods. Washburn moved to 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA with the win, while Fort Hays State moved to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.

Despite battling foul trouble all throughout the game, the Tigers still found a way to be in the game late. A combined 25 fouls were called on the teams in the first half, 13 on the Tigers and 12 on the Ichabods. Both Marty Wendel and Rundell Mauge fouled out in the second half with plenty of time left and two Tigers finished the game with four fouls.

Washburn led by just one point at halftime 35-34. A 9-0 run by the Tigers from the 14:03 to 10:52 marks of the second half built an eight-point advantage at 50-42. But Washburn would go on an 11-0 run from the 9:52 to 7:18 marks to regain the lead by three. Will McNeill's first 3-point field goal of the season put the Ichabods back in front. McNeill entered the game as the leading scorer in the MIAA.

The Tigers kept it close from that point on, tying the game twice before Ben Congiusta buried a 3-point field goal on a runout off a missed dunk by the Ichabods to put FHSU up 69-68 with 1:12 remaining.

Jason Ball drew a charge from McNeill with 55 seconds remaining, but Washburn locked down on defense and McNeill stripped the ball loose from Lance Russell deep in the shot clock for FHSU, which led to a foul that had to be committed by Jason Ball to prevent a break-away layup. McNeill stepped up and hit both free-throws with 19 seconds remaining to put the Ichabods back in front.

The Ichabods came up with another defensive stop on Fort Hays State's final possession. Tight defense forced FHSU out from the basket with time ticking down and Ben Congiusta could not get a solid look at a 3-point attempt that fell short of the rim. It marked the second-straight win for the Ichabods over the Tigers in Hays.

Dwayne Brunson led the Tigers with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. He also added three blocked shots. Craig Nicholson finished with 16 points and a team-high six assists. Lance Russell added 15 and Ben Congiusta had 12. Nick Capiti and Wendel were the only other Tigers to score, coming off the bench to combine for just five points.

Fort Hays State looks to bounce back next Wednesday (Jan. 16) when it hosts Southwest Baptist at 7:30 pm at Gross Memorial Coliseum.