The second-ranked Washburn Ichabods used a big second half to down Nebraska Kearney, 92-64, Thursday night in Topeka.
This was the MIAA opener for both with the teams meeting again Jan. 31 in Kearney. WU moves to 9-0 and has played only two games decided by 12 points or less. Their scoring margin went down after the game to 36.7.
UNK (4-4) was trying to make it a third close game as it led 41-39 at the half. Despite some foul trouble to key players, the Lopers got 12 points from redshirt junior guard River Johnston (North Platte) in the first half, shot 49 % from the field and was plus 11 on the glass. UNK got out to a 10-3 lead as Wade Williams (Huntsville, Texas) and Kendrick Gilbert (St. Louis) hit threes and post Taylor Harrell (Huntsville, Texas) had back-to-back buckets.
However, it was all WU in the second half as they outscored UNK by a 53-23 margin. They were the ones to shoot 49% this time while having a 30-12 advantage on the glass and limiting the Lopers to five made buckets. Sophomore reserve post Tyson Rudd (13 points, 10 rebounds) had a double double with Wahoo sophomore reserve guard Marcus Glock (3 of 5 threes) and senior transfer guard Bryson Smith at 15 points apiece. Finally, junior guard Jack Bachelor was one of two ‘Bods with five assists.
Johnston made 5 of 8 shots (2 of 4 threes) and two free throws to have a career-high 14 points. His previous high of 11 was set last fall vs. York. The bench provided another 15 points and four boards with both Gilbert and Mullen redshirt sophomore Clayton Moore scoring 12.
UNK heads to Central Missouri on Saturday. The Mules (8-2) beat Fort Hays State on Thursday, 64-50.
