By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tyler Geiman's buzzer-beating three-quarters-court 3-pointer that gave Washburn University the MIAA Tournament championship with a 69-68 win over top-ranked Northwest Missouri Saturday night in Maryville, Mo. had to be a miracle, right? A once-in-a-lifetime heave. Manna from heaven.
Not so, said Geiman's teammate, Jalen Lewis.
"I've seen him hit that shot in practice a lot, more than anyone I've ever met, so all I can say is thank God we have that guy on our team,'' Lewis told KTPK radio. "When we're messing around he shoots a lot of them. The whole team does, but no one makes even near as many as he makes.
"We're definitely putting the ball in his hands for the halfcourt for sure.''
After Northwest Missouri, which had its string of five straight MIAA Tournament championships snapped, went up 68-66 on two free throws from Diego Bernard with 2.7 seconds remaining, Jace Williams inbounded the ball to Geiman, the two-time MIAA first-teamer, who took a couple of dribbles and launched the shot that is likely to make highlight shows across the nation.
"Honesly, right as I released it, it felt good,'' Geiman told KTPK. "I knew it was going to be on line for sure, so it had a chance. Jace looked at me on the out of bounds and said, 'You want it?' I said, 'Yeah,' even though that really wasn't the play, it was the second option.
"I just let it fly and it felt good and it was awesome. It really hasn't hit me yet. I was just running around out there after I hit it. I didn't know what to do.''
Tyler Geiman
The special delivery gave the 19-6 Ichabods their first MIAA Tournament title since 2012 and gave them a huge boost heading into the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament.
The MIAA's automatic qualifier, the Ichabods will will open NCAA competition on Friday. Pairings will be announced Sunday in an Division II selection show.
But Saturday was all about an amazing win over a Northwest Missouri team that is now 23-2 on the season, with both losses coming against Washburn on the Bearcats' home court.
In a game that included 10 lead changes and seven ties, including three lead changes in the final 46 seconds, Geiman's 3-pointer from approximately 10 feet on the Northwest Missouri side of halfcourt gave their sixth MIAA Tournament Championship overall.
Lewis was named the MIAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player after following up his 29-point effort in the semifinals with a 26-point night Saturday.
Geifman finished with 23 points and was named to the All-MIAA Tournament team.
The Ichabods led 30-19 at halftime on the strength of 52 percent shooting from the field as Lewis hit 6 of 8 from the field and 3 of 5 3-point attempts.
The Bearcats were led by Ryan Hawkins' 23 points, while Hudgins, the Manhattan product, added 18.
Washburn was 11 of 12 from the free throw line and the Bearcats were 26 of 31.
WASHBURN MEN 69, NORTHWEST MISSOURI 68
Washburn 30 39 -- 69
Northwest Missouri 19 49 -- 68
WASHBURN (19-6)
Geiman 8-18 3-3 23, Nelson 3-5 0-0 7, Lewis 9-14 4-4 26, McKee 0-1 0-0 0, Williams 1-1 0-1 2, Deffebaugh 1-1 2-2 5, Carter 0-0 0-0 0, Braun 0-0 0-0 0, Clausing 2-4 2-2 6. Totals 24-44 11-12 69.
NORTHWEST MISSOURI (23-2)
Bernard 3-10 4-4 10, Dreamer 0-2 2-2 2, Hudgins 6-18 2-2 18, Hawkins 4-12 14-18 23, Waters 3-7 2-2 9, Alexander 2-2 2-3 6. Totals 18-51 26-31 68.
3-point goals -- Washburn 10 (Geiman 4, Lewis 4, Nelson, Deffebaugh); Northwest Missouri 6 (Hudgins 4, Waters, Hawkins). Rebounds -- Washburn 26 (Nelson 7); Northwest Missouri 31 (Hawkins 10). Assists -- Washburn 11 (Geiman 5); Northwest Missouri 7 (Hawkins 3). Turnovers -- Washburn 19; Northwest Missouri 12. Fouled out -- Nelson.
