By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 10-ranked Washburn University men's basketball team opened its 2024-25 season with an 89-71 win over Sioux Falls Friday in Kansas City, Mo. as the Ichabods put six players in double figures in the win.
Washburn senior Michael Keegan slams down a dunk in the Ichabods' 89-71 season-opening win over Sioux Falls Friday. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn returns to Kansas City on Saturday to face No. 1-ranked Minnesota State, the defending Division II national champion.
The Ichabods jumped out to a 12-2 lead 3:13 into the game after Andrew Orr scored his sixth point of the night en route to a game-high 21 points on 9 of 11 shooting.
Washburn stretched the lead to as many as 21 with under three minutes to go at 49-28 before taking a 54-37 advantage into the break.
In the second half, the Ichabods (1-0) stretched their lead to as many as 25 twice during the frame en route to the 18-point win, improving to 3-0 against the Cougars all-time.
Orr scored 14 of his 21 points in the first half. He was followed followed by Jack Bachelor with 16 points, Brady Christiansen and Dillon Claussen with 12, Michael Keegan with 11 points and Jacob Hanna with 10.
Hanna and Christiansen each had nine rebounds and Hanna added five assists. Christiansen had five steals as the Ichabods had 14 in the game compared to seven for Sioux Falls (0-1).
Brandon Hrncir had 16 to lead the Cougars.
Washburn finished 32 of 67 from the field and 6 of 17 from deep hitting 19 of 23 free throw attempts. USF was 27 of 56 overall and 7 of 18 from 3-point range. Washburn also held a 40 to 30 advantage on the glass and outscored the Cougars 46 to 38 in the paint turning 14 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. Washburn forced 21 Cougar turnovers leading to 26 Ichabod points.
