KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opened its season with a close battle Friday afternoon, but ultimately fell to Washburn 78-71 in overtime.
With the loss, MSU drops to 0-1 on the season, while WU improves to 1-0.
The first half proved to be a defensive struggle that saw the Ichabods held the lead through the majority of the opening stanza. WU led 16-10 at the midway point of the first half, but was able to build a 25-15 lead with just 6:36 to go in the half.
The Mavericks managed to get back within six points of the Ichabods after a jumper from sophomore
Tre Baumgardner with 1:44 to go in the half, but WU was able to extend its lead to 33-24 as the half expired.
Senior
Cameron Kirksey led all scorers in the first half with 11 points, while sophomore
Kelby Kramer hauled in 10 rebounds and posted three blocks. Senior
Kevin Krieger added five points and five rebounds also.
As a team, MSU shot 37.0% from the field in the first half. The Mavericks also held a 23-20 advantage in rebounds.
Drew Maschoff and Jalen Lewis each posted a team-best seven points in the first half for the Ichabods. As a unit, WU shot 37.1% from the field in the first half. The Ichabods also scored nine points off of 12 MSU turnovers.
The opening three minutes of the second half saw the Mavericks cut into the Ichabod lead as WU was forced to take a time out with 16:50 left leading 38-35. Baskets from Kirksey and Kramer, and a pair of threes from Krieger, sparked the Maverick offense.
WU continued to hold the lead through the second half as a basket from freshman
Ryland Holt brought the Mavericks within three of the Ichabods at 51-48 with 10:03 to go. The Mavericks finally tied the game at 58-58 with 2:43 to go as Krieger connected on a pair of free throws. In doing so, Krieger became the 41st member of the MSU 1,000 point club.
The game remained within two points the rest of the way through regulation as the game went into overtime tied at 62.
With less than two minutes remaining in overtime, WU held a four point lead at 71-67. MSU managed to get back within three points of the Ichabods in the final minute, but it could not overcome Washburn as the Ichabods claimed the victory with a score of 78-71.
Kirksey finished with a game-high 27 points, while Krieger tallied 14 points and eight rebounds. Kramer finished his Maverick debut with five points, 18 rebounds and eight blocks. Kramer's 18 rebounds are the most in a game by a Maverick since Atila Santos recorded 21 against Minnesota Duluth back in 2008. His eight blocks also tied an MSU single-game record held by Chris Whitfield, who tallied eight vs. Nebraska-Kearney in 2006. Junior
Jamal Nixon added 10 rebounds as well.
As a team, MSU shot 35.6% from the field. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 56-45 advantage in rebounds.
Jalen Lewis led the Ichabods with 22 points, while Tyler Geiman tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. As a team, WU shot 34.8% from the field. WU also scored 14 points off of 25 Maverick turnovers.
The Mavericks wrap up play in the MIAA/NSIC Crosser on Saturday as they take on #10 Missouri Southern State at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
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