Box Score | Season Stats

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The Washburn Ichabods fell 71-56 to No. 17-ranked Western Washington in their opening game of the Great Western Shootout at the Doolittle Recreation Center in Las Vegas. The Ichabods will be back in action on Friday when they will face Central Washington at 3 p.m. CST.

The Ichabods trailed 32-27 at the break after opening the game 1 of 13 from the field trailing by as many as nine. The Ichabods had three more field goals in the opening stanza than the Vikings as Washburn hit 11 compared to eight for Western Washington. However the Vikings were 14 of 17 from the free throw line compared to 3 of 4 for the Ichabods.

In the second half the Ichabods rallied to take the lead at 35-34 after a pair of free throws by William McNeill and following another pair of free throws by McNeill after a technical on the Viking bench, Washburn led by five at 39-34. McNeil scored 10 of 12 points during a 12-0 run by the Ichabods.

However the lead was short-lived as the Ichabods missed their next seven shots before a jumper by DeAndre Washington halted the Viking run cutting their lead to 46-42 with 11:42 remaining.

After trading 3-point baskets, Virgil Philistin recorded a fastbreak lay up pulling the Ichabods within one at 50-49 with 8:48 remaining. Washburn would not get any closer as the Vikings went on a 10-2 run over the next 2:09 taking a 60-51 lead as the Ichabods were held scoreless the final 3:35 of the game helping the Vikings to the 15-point win.

The Ichabods were led by McNeill who scored a career-high and game-high 23 points. Washington finished with his first double double at Washburn with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Dezahn Otis scored nine off the bench as only five Ichabods scored in the game.

Morris Anderson scored 20 to pace four Vikings in double figures.

The Ichabods held the Vikings to 40 percent from the field (19 of 47) finishing with one more field goal than Western Washington. The Vikings took advantage of 27 fouls whistled on the Ichabods converting 26 of 31 attempts from the free throw line. Washburn finished 12 of 18 from the charity stripe.

The Vikings held a 39 to 25 advantage on the glass turning 11 offensive rebounds into 18 second change points. The Ichabods forced 18 turnovers leading to 22 points off turnovers including a 16 to 4 edge in the second half.