By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 4-ranked Washburn Ichabods wrapped up the regular season with a dominating 108-71 road performance at Missouri Southern Saturday, finishing the regular season with a 26-2 overall record and a 17-2 mark in MIAA play.
Washburn senior Michael Keegan (middle) had 18 points in Saturday's 108-71 at Missouri Southern, moving to within five points of the 1,000-point career milestone. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods will now turn their attention to the postseason as they will open the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. at 12 p.m. on Thursday in Municipal Auditorium.
After the teams were tied for the final time in the game at 12-12 with 13:50 to go, the Ichabods pulled away, outscoring the Lions 35-8 over the next nine-plus minutes, taking a 47-20 lead as eight different Ichabods scored during the run.
The Lions scored the next five points of the game, but Washburn closed the half by scoring 9 of the next 12 points to take a 56-28 lead into the break, doubling up Missouri Southern (11-17, 6-13 MIAA) at the half.
In the second half, the Ichabods had runs of 10-0, 9-0 and 7-0, building a lead of as many as 38 points with 2:21 to play on the way to the 37-point win.
Senior Michael Keegan tied for the team lead with 18 points hitting 7 of 8 shots from the field while adding six rebounds and climbing to 995 career points as an Ichabod.
Senior Andrew Orr also scored 18 points while also pulling down seven rebounds with two steals.
Sophomore Jack Bachelor had 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals while freshman Dillon Claussen had 13 points with 7 rebounds, all coming on the offensive end.
Senior Jacob Hanna had 13 points with 4 boards and sophomore Brayden Shorter had 10 points, including his 100th and 101st 3-pointers of the season.
Tyrique Brooks led the Lions with a game-high 23 points and Jaden Taylor had 22.
Washburn shot 61 percent in the first half and 54 percent in the second half to finish 35 of 60 overall for a 58 percent clip. The Lions finished the game at 37 percent, hitting 26 of 66 shots.
Washburn attempted 39 free throws in the game, making 29.
