Box Score (WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – The Central Missouri Mules built themselves a big second half hole and couldn't quite come all the way back in a 75-67 loss to Washburn on Saturday afternoon at the UCM Multipurpose Building.
            The Ichabods (9-3, 4-1 MIAA) built a 15-point second half lead and seemed to have an answer for every run by the Mules (7-4, 3-3 MIAA).
            The Mules jumped out 3-0 on their first possession on a three by Boo Hunter, but the Ichabods came right back to grab a 5-3 lead. The game see-sawed back-and-forth for much of the first half with Washburn leading by as many as four before an 8-2 run by the Mules gave UCM a 23-20 lead with 6:47 to play in the half.
            A 7-0 run by the Ichabods gave them the lead right back at 27-23 with five and half minutes to play. UCM rallied to within a point, but Washburn scored five of the final seven points of the half to lead 36-32 at the intermission.
            Central Missouri scored four quick points out of the break to tie the game, but the Ichabods responded with seven straight points to regain the lead for good. Hunter made three of four free throws following a technical foul to pull the Mules to within four at 43-39, but Washburn rattled off 11 unanswered points for a 54-39 lead.
            The Mules got back into the game with another run of their own. Dominique Long scored a conventional three point play to ignite a 10-0 run to pull UCM to within five with 10:34 to play in the game.
            Central Missouri closed to within four on a three point play from Matt Webb, but the Ichabods answered with five straight points to push the lead back to nine. Back-to-back buckets by Long and Matt Webb made it 63-58 with 4:16 to play. A three by Washburn made it an eight point game, but a three by Hunter and a free throw from Lance Beckwith pulled the Mules to within four at 66-62. Widgett Washington made a pair of free throws with 42 seconds left to make it a two point game, but the Ichabods sank four straight free throws to push the lead to six at 70-64 with 20 ticks left. A trey by Hunter closed the gap to three, but Washburn iced the game at the foul line.
            Hunter led three Mules in double figures with 18 points. Long and Beckwith each had 12 points and a team-high six boards, as did Will Kirksey.
            Central Missouri shot 44 percent from the field, 22-of-50, and 38 percent from three point range, 8-of-21. The Mules were 15-of-18 from the foul line for 83 percent and out-rebounded the Ichabods 33-24.
            Washburn shot 51 percent from the field, 28-of-55, and 9-of-20 from beyond the arc for 45 percent. The 'Bods were 10-of-13 from the charity stripe for 77 percent. Washburn forced the Mules into 20 turnovers and had 11 steals to go along with 18 assists. The Washburn bench out-scored UCM's bench 23-9 as well.
            Central Missouri is back in action next Wednesday as the Mules host ninth-ranked Fort Hays State at 7:30 p.m. at the Multipurpose Building.