Box Score (TOPEKA, Kan.)  – The Central Missouri Mules had their nine-game winning streak come to a screeching halt with a 78-68 loss to Washburn on Wednesday night. The Ichabods led by as many as 23 in the second half before UCM's late rally.
            The Ichabods (17-6, 11-4 MIAA) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before Lance Beckwith drained a three to get the Mules (16-5, 12-4 MIAA) on the board at the 18:38 mark. Washburn extended the lead to 9-3 before a pair of Dominique Long free throws with 15:17 left in the half pulled UCM to within 9-5.
            The Ichabods led 17-11 before Alex Dean threw one down and was fouled to make it 17-14. A layup from Long pulled the Mules to within a point with 9:02 to play in the half. The teams traded threes to make it 20-19.
            The Mules were whistled for a technical foul on the next trip down the floor. Washburn made a pair of free throws to jump start a 19-7 run, which gave the 'Bods a 39-26 lead with 1:31 to play in the half. Central Missouri got six straight points from Long to close the half and pull within 39-31 at the break.
            The Ichabods got a three out of the intermission from Jeff Reid to propel them to an 18-7 run to open a 19-point advantage at 57-38. Washburn kept the pressure on extending the lead to 22 at 65-42 with 12:08 to go in the game. Dusty Allen stopped the bleeding with a tip-in and Will Kirksey scored eight straight points to make it 65-52 with 7:18 to go. A pair of WU free throws made it 67-52 before Dominique Newton nailed a three to make it 67-55 with 6:31 to play.
            The Ichabods got a pair of free throws to push the lead back to 14 before a traditional three-point play from Kirksey to pull the Mules with 10 at 69-59, but Martin Mitchell nailed a trey to put WU up 72-59 with 4:05 to play. Dusty Allen sank a pair of free throws to pull the Mules back to within 11 at the 3:37 mark, but it wasn't enough.
            Long led the Mules with 17 points, while Kirksey had 11, all in the second half. The Mules were 19-of-43 from the field for 44 percent and 6-of-14 from three point range for 43 percent. UCM was 24-of-27 from the foul line for 89 percent. The Mules committed 20 turnovers to just nine for the Ichabods.
            Will McNeill led Washburn with a career-high 35 points. He was 16-of-18 from the charity stripe. Mitchell and Reid each had 12 for the 'Bods. Washburn shot 24-of-56 from the floor for 43 percent and 6-of-17 from beyond the arc. WU was 24-of-29 from the free throw line.
            Washburn had 15 assists to 11 for the Mules, while UCM out-rebound the Ichabods 32-30, but gave up 16 offensive boards.
            The Mules look to get back on the winning track Saturday when they continue their five-game MIAA road trip at Fort Hays State. Tip-off from Gross Memorial Coliseum is set for 4 p.m.