Washburn Defeats ENMU for Championship
of WIBW Radio Holiday Classic in Topeka
Hounds Hit 51.6% from field, but Ichabods Shoot 64.2%

Box Score

TOPEKA, KAN . — Both teams experienced offensive success in the championship game of the WIBW Radio Holiday Classic on Saturday, Nov. 27 at Lee Arena, but Washburn University benefited the most, as the Ichabods shot 64.2% to defeat Eastern New Mexico University, 102-82. Washburn, ranked fifth in NCAA Division II in the poll conducted by the DII Bulletin, improved to 5-0 on the season. Eastern, which shot a solid 51.6%, dropped to 2-2.

The Ichabods, who improved to 100-9 at Lee Arena since the 1997-98 season, shot 60.7% in in the first half (17 of 28) and 68.0% in the second half (17 of 25). Eastern put up a hard-fought battle to keep pace, as the Greyhounds connected on 57.7% of their field goals in the first half (15 of 26). ENMU’s shooting fell off a bit over the final 10 minutes, but the Hounds still shot 47.2% in the second half (17 of 36).

Washburn’s hot shooting included three-pointers (6 of 12) and free throws (28 of 33, 84.8%). Karlton Mims led the Ichabods with 23 points, while Travis Robbins contributed 22 points. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team.

A quality performance by Eastern on three-pointers and free throws was overshadowed by Washburn’s steady execution at the other end of the floor. ENMU sank 8 of 19 three’s (42.1%) and made 10 of 14 free throws (71.4%).

The Hounds committed 20 turnovers — 12 in the first half — and were called for 21 fouls. Washburn lost the ball 17 times and was whistled for 13 fouls. As a result, WU shot 19 more free throws than Eastern. The Ichabods, who entered the game with an average of 20 more rebounds per game than their opponents, earned a modest 30-26 advantage on the boards.

ENMU matched Washburn in the early going, with the Hounds holding a 19-16 lead after a free throw by Jamaal Hunnicutt (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) with 13:14 left in the first half. Washburn tied the score on a three-pointer by Randy Brown twenty seconds later, and moved ahead for good at the 12:14 mark, when Brown tacked on a pair of free throws.

Washburn owned a four-point lead, 27-23, as the clock ticked past the 9:00 mark in the first half. The Ichabods extended the margin by scoring the next six points, and led by at least seven points the rest of the period. WU owned a 50-39 advantage at the break.

The Ichabods opened the second half with a pair of free throws by Robbins for a 13-point lead. Eastern countered with an 11-6 run to cut the margin to 58-50 on a field goal by Daniel Sherman (Jr., F, Chino Hills, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) with 17:02 remaining.

A layup by Hunnicutt at the 15:57 mark also pulled ENMU within eight points at 60-52, but the Greyhounds never got closer. Washburn followed Hunnicutt’s basket with a 14-6 run that doubled the lead, and later held an 86-66 lead with 6:15 to go.

Mims hit 6 of 7 field goals (2 of 2 three-pointers) and 9 of 9 free throws during the contest, while Robbins connected on 9 of 14 field goals and 4 of 4 charity tosses. Even so, the Hounds kept Robbins below his season average of 30 points per game.

Kyle Snyder added 13 points and Brown chipped in 10 for the Ichabods. Robbins grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Mims provided four rebounds and a game-high 10 assists, while Brady Sisk earned nine points and five rebounds. Snyder supplied three rebounds, recorded three assists and blocked two shots.

Billy Austin (Jr., G, Hobbs, NM/Eastern Wyoming CC) was the leading scorer for Eastern with 21 points. Austin was 7 of 10 on field goals and made 3 of 5 three-pointers. He completed a tremendous all-around performance by recording five rebounds, seven assists and no turnovers. Sherman scored 16 points for the Greyhounds and led all players with 10 rebounds. He hit 8 of 13 shots from the floor, including several quality jumpers in the paint.

Jolen Montoya (Jr., G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC) scored 15 points and was 6 of 9 on field goals, including 3 of 6 on three-pointers. Hunnicutt tallied 13 points, two assists, three steals and one blocked shot.

Hunnicutt and Sherman joined Mims and Robbins on the All-Tournament Team. Derrick Turner of Fort Hays State University also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Robbins was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The Greyhounds return to action with a Lone Star Conference crossover game against the Cameron University Aggies on Thursday, Dec. 2. Game time at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MST