By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University men's basketball team has been red hot of late, winning six of their last seven games and eight of 10.
But the Ichabods, who had won their previous eight conference games by an average of 5.9 points including five wins by three or fewer points, got to do something Wednesday night they hadn't been able to do throughout their MIAA schedule -- celebrate a blowout.
Washburn, which improved to 12-7 overall and 9-4 in the MIAA, used a 14-0 run to open up a 46-29 halftime cushion and outscored the Jets (4-12, 1-10) by a 45-31 margin in the second half to run away with a 91-60 win at Lee Arena.
Newman had played Washburn to a 72-61 decision in Wichita on Dec. 11, but the Ichabods did a much better job of imposing their will on the Jets in Wednesday's rematch.
"That was definitely a point of emphasis, get out in attack mode and get out in transition to start the game,'' Washburn star senior point guard Tyler Geiman said. "We kind of got downhill and got some easy shots and got some other guys going, so that was good.''
Washburn senior Tyler Geiman had a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists in the Ichabods' 91-60 win over Newman Wednesday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Geiman led three double-figure scorers for WU with 20 points while Geiman and senior Jeremy Harrell both registered double-doubles.
Geiman added 10 assists to go with his 20 points while Harrell had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Connor Deffebaugh scored 15 points.
Connor Deffebaugh scored 15 points in Washburn's 91-60 MIAA romp past Newman Wednesday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn played 14 players in the game and 12 cracked the scoring column.
"It was definitely good to get some other guys in,'' Geiman said. "They've been working hard in practice every day, so that was great to see.''
Washburn coach Brett Ballard agreed.
"It's good to give some of the guys that contribute a lot in practice but don't get in games the opportunity to play,'' Ballard said. "I think that's one of the best things about a game like this. Those guys got some solid minutes and got an opportunity to get out there in front of a crowd, which they deserve.
"So I was pleased with that and obviously was overall pleased with how we played. I thought it was a good overall game for us.''
The Ichabods didn't have a great shooting night from 3-point range (11 of 38) or the free throw line (eight of 18), but WU shot a respectable 46.8 percent from the field overall, while holding Newman to 41.2-percent shooting.
Washburn held a 42-36 rebounding edge and forced 23 Jet turnovers while committing just five floor errors.
Newman was led by Deandre Johnson with 11 points while Israel Barnes added 10 points. Both Johnson and Barnes both grabbed seven rebounds for the Jets.
Washburn will be back at Lee Arena on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game against Central Oklahoma, which is 17-2 overall, 12-1 in the MIAA and the winner of 13 straight games.
The Bronchos took a 97-87 overtime win over the Ichabods in an earlier game.
WASHBURN MEN 91, NEWMAN 60
Newman 29 31 -- 60
Washburn 46 45 -- 91
NEWMANI (4-12, 1-10)
Javorsky 1-2 0-0 3, Johnson 5-8 1-2 11, Barnes 4-15 0-2 10, Strong 3-8 2-2 9, Lee 1-4 0-0 2, Bunn 2-7 1-2 6, Agyapong 0-0 1-2 1, Morris 1-3 5-6 8, Jovanovic2-2 1-3 5, Oliva 2-2 0-0 5, Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-51 11-19 60.
WASHBURN (12-7, 9-4)
Harrell 5-13 0-0 12, Deffebaugh 7-10 0-0 15, Geiman 8-13 1-2 20, Lewis 1-7 0-0 3, Keegan 2-4 0-0 4, Clausing 3-5 3-5 9 Nelson 3-7 0-0 7, Ellis 2-5 0-0 5, Braun 2-5 0-0 6, Monday 1-4 0-0 2, Thorne 0-1 0-0 0, Orr 1-1 3-6 5, Cordes 1-2 1-2 3, Ross 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 36-77 8-18 91.
3-point goals -- Newman 7-17 (Barnes 2-5, Javorsky 1-2, Strong 1-4, Bunn 1-3, Morris 1-2, Oliva 1-1), Washburn 11-38 (Geiman 3-5, Braun 2-5, Harrell 2-8, Deffebaugh 1-1, Lewis 1-7, Nelson 1-4, Ellis 1-3, Thorne 0-1, Monday 0-3, Cordes 0-1), Rebounds -- Newman 36 (Johnson 7, Barnes 7), Washburn 42 (Harrell 11). Assists -- Newman 13 (Lee 8), Washburn 17 (Geiman 10). Turnovers -- Newman 23, Washburn 10. Total fouls -- Newman 22, Washburn 18. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.
