Phifer has double-double in exhibition loss to No. 3 Kansas
Nov. 2, 2006

Box Score

LAWRENCE – Playing in his first game in over a year, senior forward Frank Phifer led all scorers with 22 points as the Ichabods dropped their exhibition opener 99-69 to Kansas Thursday night in Allen Fieldhouse. The Ichabods will play their second exhibition Saturday at Kansas State in an 8 p.m. game.

After breaking his ankle in the preseason last year, Phifer made his Ichabod debut by shooting 5-for-10 from inside. He got to the free throw line 14 times and made 12 of them for an 86 percent effort. He also pulled in 11 rebounds to lead all players in that category. Phifer transferred to WU last year and was expected to start in the post. His last appearance in a game, besides the four he played in China, came at Kentucky Wesleyan in 2004-05.

Also scoring in double figures for the Ichabods were sophomore forward Paul Byers and junior forward Dylan Channel. Each of them hit a pair of 3-pointers to lead the ’Bods. Junior guard Andrew Meile led WU with five assists and two steals.

Kansas, the No. 3 team in the NCAA I preseason poll, spread the ball around and had five players reach double figures. Darrell Arthur led the Jayhawks with 21 points and Darnell Jackson pulled in 10 rebounds.

The Ichabods’ first two baskets were 3’s, one from Channel to put the Ichabods up 3-2 and one from Byers at 18:02 to put them up 6-4. Those would be the only leads WU would enjoy. Kansas went on a 14-0 run from that point and then built a 21-point lead at 38-17 with 6:56 remaining.

The two teams went into the locker rooms with KU up 17 points at 49-32. The Ichabods cut the lead to 11 in the second half twice on a jumper by junior forward Brady Sisk at 16:16 and then a 3-pointer from Channel at 15:25. KU pushed its lead back up to 20 near the 9:00 mark and then to over 30 in the closing minutes. The Jayhawks hit five 3’s in the final minutes of the game to stop the Ichabods chances of making it a 20-point game.

Washburn will finish its tour of Big 12 schools as KSU head coach Bob Huggins coaches his first game as a Wildcat. Washburn head coach Bob Chipman is a 1973 graduate of K-State and a two-year letterwinner. The regular season tips off November 15 when the Ichabods welcome Kansas Wesleyan to Lee Arena.