Topeka, Kan. – The Southwest Baptist University men’s basketball team fell in a defensive battle at Washburn on Saturday evening 65-53. With the loss SBU drops to 14-12 (7-10 MIAA) on the season.
The Bearcats wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Logan Hovey hit a jumper on the Bearcats first offensive possession to take the early 2-0 lead. The two teams would play tight, as Washburn held a 12-7 advantage with 12:53, before SBU used an 8-0 run to re-take the lead. Matt Ridder kicked off the run with a three, followed by a Kalund Brown jumper, and capped off by a Kai Woodfall three which gave the Bearcats a 15-12 lead with 9:03 left in the half. A pair of Hovey free throws extended the Bearcat lead to a game high six at 23-17, but the Ichabods would end the half on a 14-6 run as SBU went into the break trailing 31-29.
In the second half Washburn came out on a 6-0 run to push their lead to eight at 37-29, and again held an eight point advantage at 39-31 with 16:33 remaining. Hovey connected on a three to cut the deficit back to five, and a Ridder three with 13:28 remaining brought SBU back within four at 42-38. Washburn continued to hold Southwest Baptist at an arm’s length away, extending their lead to 12 with 8:20 to go. SBU used a 6-1 run, all scored by Cartier Dean, to pull back within seven at 55-48 with 4:10 to go but were unable to get any closer as they would eventually fall 65-53.
Logan Hovey had a team high 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Cartier Dean chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds and Matt Ridder had 9 points off of the bench. As a team SBU shot 26.9% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc, and 58.1% from the line.
The Bearcats will return home on Thursday, February 23 when they host Fort Hays State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. from the Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar.
