Slow start to second half costly in loss to No. 15 Bearcats

Jan. 6, 2007

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Despite a better shooting percentage and a six-point halftime lead, the Ichabods once again could not hold on against a ranked MIAA team as they fell 69-58 to No. 15 Northwest Missouri State Saturday night in front of 2,900 at Lee Arena. Washburn (5-8, 1-3 MIAA) will look to end a three-game losing streak when it welcomes Fort Hays State Wednesday at 7:30.

Junior forward Kyle Snyder led WU with 15 points and missed his second straight double-double with nine rebounds. Junior guard Andrew Meile had 10 points and six rebounds.

The ’Bods led 31-25 at halftime, marking the third straight time they led a ranked team unbeaten in MIAA play at the half. They shot 50 percent in the first half and held the Bearcats (11-2, 4-0 MIAA) to 26 percent shooting.

Washburn made just one field goal in the first 6:26 of the second half. After a jumper from junior forward Brady Sisk for their second basket of the half, they still led by three at 13:34. They pushed it to five on another shot from Sisk, who ended the night with nine points, but then NWMSU went on a 10-2 run to build a 42-39 lead. With under a minute remaining the Bearcats led by 11 to put the game out of reach.

WU shot 36 percent in the second half and ended the game with a 42 percent effort. NWMSU shot just 39 percent but made 21-of-26 free throws and took advantage of 19 WU turnovers. The Ichabods out-rebounded NWMSU 40-31and blocked five shots.