By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 4-ranked Washburn University basketball team returns to Lee Arena Thursday night, hosting Central Oklahoma in a 7:30 p.m. MIAA contest.
Washburn senior Andrew Orr now has 1,231 career points, sitting in 15th all-time at WU after passing Brady Skeens against Northeastern State in his last game. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods will be looking to snap a brief two-game slide, entering the contest with a 22-2 record while going 13-2 in the MIAA after falling at Northeastern State 88-84 last Saturday.
The Bronchos are 14-10 overall and 8-7 in the MIAA after dropping a 102-92 decision at Rogers State last time out. The game marked the second contest in a row the Bronchos had scored 92 points following a 92-60 win against Missouri Western on Feb. 8.
Washburn is 12-3 all-time against the Bronchos in games played in Topeka, winning the last eight in a row played in Lee Arena. Washburn's last home loss to the Bronchos came on Feb. 20, 2016 in a 71-60 loss.
WU has been ranked in the top five nationally for 12 straight weeks for the first time in program history.
Exclusive player worn warm up shirts that will be auctioned off to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Each player will have their own unique shirt featuring their name, number, signature and the Stormont Vail Logo.
Against Northeastern State last time out, six players scored in double-figures against the Ichabods. It was the first time that had happened to a Washburn team since Missouri Southern had six players reach double figures on Dec. 6, 2014.
Washburn senior Andrew Orr became the 28th member of the Ichabod 1,000 point club at Fort Hays State earlier this season. Orr now has 1,231 career points, sitting in 15th all-time after passing Brady Skeens against Northeastern State last time out.
Next on the scoring chart in 14th is former Ichabod Eric Carter with 1,241 career points from 1997-2001.
Orr is 13th in the nation in field goal percentage at 63.7 percent, which leads the MIAA.
Senior Michael Keegan has 954 career points in 120 career games as an Ichabod and he has moved past Bobby Chipman into fifth place on the career blocks chart with 97. Keegan is also third all-time in steals with 153, needing four more to pass Jordan Canfield, who had 156 from 1992-97.
Keegan is 10th in the nation and leads the MIAA in steals with 60 and he is ranked 11th in steals per game at 2.50.
Sophomore Jack Bachelor is 11th in the nation and leads the MIAA in assist to turnover radio at 3.17. He is 15th in total assists at 133 and 15th in assists per game with 5.5.
Sophomore Brayden Shorter is third in the nation in 3-pointers per game at 3.67 and he's ranked fifth in total 3-pointers made at 88. His 88 3-pointers this season is the most in program history on the Ichabod sophomore record chart, passing Todd Alexander who hit 83 during the 1990-91 season.
Shorter's total is third on the Ichabod single-season chart, trailing Randy Stats (89 in 1996-97) and the single-season record-holder Maurice Lamar (113 in 1991-92).
UCO's Israel Hart is sixth in the MIAA in scoring at 15.6 points per game while Jacobi Sebock is second in the MIAA in rebounding with a 7.4 average while adding 13.8 points per game.
JV Seat is averaging 12.9 points and Jordan Thompson is scoring 11.8 points a game.
The Bronchos are second in the MIAA to the Ichabods in scoring offense, averaging 82.2 points a game and they are eighth in scoring defense, allowing 72.5 points a game.
The Ichabods will wrap up their home regular-season slate on Saturday, hosting Rogers State for Senior Day.
Ichabod seniors Orr, Keegan, Jake Schadegg and Jacob Hanna will be honored before Saturday's game.
The SAAC Teddy Bear Toss will be happening during halftime of the men's game. Fans can bring a teddy bear to the game or buy one at the door for $5. All stuffed animals will be donated to the local Toys for Tots.
