Joplin, Mo. – Despite four players scoring in double-figures, a big second half for visiting Washburn lifted the Ichabods over the Missouri Southern men's basketball team, 87-72 tonight on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
Southern (8-5, 5-2 MIAA) was led in scoring by
Christian Bundy as he poured in 18 points on 8-of-12 from the field. He added five assists and three steals.
Winston Dessesow had five three pointers and scored 15 points, while
Stan Scott scored 14 and had six boards.
Avery Taggart had 12 points off the bench for the Lions.
Washburn (9-6, 6-3 MIAA) got 13 points from Jeremy Harrell.
The two teams traded baskets early on before a three from Dessesow with 12:40 on the clock pushed the Lions' lead to 17-12, but the Ichabods answered right back the next trip down with a three of their own.
A three from
Avery Taggart with 10:35 on the clock pushed the Southern lead back to five (22-17), but the Ichabods got a three a minute later to go ahead 24-22. A three from
Lawson Jenkins with just more than eight minutes on the clock gave the Lions the lead back at 25-24, and the two teams traded baskets again for the rest of the half, before Washburn closed on a 9-2 run to lead 44-38 at the break.
Washburn scored six quick points to start the second half and led by 12 (50-38), forcing a Southern timeout with 18:45 to go on the clock. A pair of free throws from the Ichabods with 17:37 left pushed the lead to ten (52-42), while a bucket with 13:17 to go gave Washburn a 15-point advantage (59-44).
The Ichabods led 71-51 with 7:50 to go in the game, before a 16-8 run over a 4:30 span for the Lions fueled by four three-pointers for the Green and Gold got Southern within 12 (79-67). That would be as close as Southern would get.
Southern shot 42 percent from the field in the game.
The Lions will be back in action on Saturday as the Lions play host to Emporia State. Tip off is set for 3:30 pm.
