Men's Basketball | 1/2/2026 3:08:00 PM
GAME 13
Emporia State (4-8, 0-3 MIAA) at #1 Washburn (13-0, 3-0 MIAA)
Saturday, January 3 • 3:00 p.m. • Topeka, Kan. • Lee Arena
Series Record: WU leads 115-109 •
Last Meeting: at #1 WU 83, ESU 72 (Jan. 15, 2025)
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM
Internet Audio:
kvoe.com |
Television: None |
Internet Video:
The MIAA Network
Live Stats |
Ticket Info |
Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: Fort Hays State • 7:30 p.m. • January 8 • Emporia, Kan. • WL White Auditorium
TURNPIKE TUSSLE TIME
Emporia State takes on #1 Washburn in Topeka. It is the second Turnpike Tussle to feature a #1 team.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 4-8, 0-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets have scored at least 70 points in 11 of 12 games this season. Nine different players have scored in double figures.
Andrew Pengel is the top scorer at 13.4 points per game.
Chris Harris adds 11.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Trey Redd is averaging 4.3 assists.
ABOUT THE ICHABODS
Washburn is 13-0, 3-0 in the MIAA and ranked #1 in the nation. They lead the nation in scoring margin while playing the 12th toughest schedule. Jeremiah Jones leads the nation in steals while Jack Bachelor is second nationally in assist/turnover ratio.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Tom Billeter is 505-300 in his 28th season as a head coach and is 15-26 in his second season at Emporia State after going 394-224 in 21 years at Augustana. With the Vikings he won the 2016 National Championship, went to nine NCAA Tournaments, won three regular season NSIC Championships, two NSIC Tourney Championships, and 18 consecutive winning seasons. He is 2-4 against Washburn, going 2-2 while at Augie.
Brett Ballard is 180-79 in his ninth year at Washburn, 213-109 in his 11th year overall. He is 9-6 against Emporia State.
SERIES HISTORY WITH THE ICHABODS
According to Emporia State records this will be the 225th meeting between the two schools with Washburn leading 115-109. The Ichabod two wins last season snapped a four game Hornet winning streak in the series.
TAKING ON #1
This will be the ninth time Emporia State has played a team ranked #1 in the NABC Division II national poll. The Hornets are 1-7 in their previous eight contests, knocking off then #1 Northwest Missouri 74-65 on December 17, 2022 in White Auditorium for their lone win. Four of their seven losses have been by 11 points or fewer including an 83-72 loss to the then #1 Ichabods in Lee Arena on January 15, 2025.
LAST TIME VS WASHBURN
Emporia State was within ten points with three minutes left but could not get any closer in an 83-72 loss at top ranked Washburn. The Hornets would outscore the Ichabods 44-40 in the second half including a six of nine effort from beyond the three point line.
Arhman Lewis led the Hornets with 19 points on seven of nine shooting. Malik Edwards and
Justin Mack joined Lewis in double figures with 13 points each.
LAST TIME OUT
A late scoring run for Central Missouri proved costly as the Emporia State men fell 78-71 on the road against the Mules.
The Mules opened the game on a 9-2 scoring run over the first three minutes. Over the following 4:35, The Hornets answered back with a 15-7 run, which gave Emporia State their first lead at 18-16 on a layup by
Chris Harris. UCM used a 10-2 run to go up 35-27 with 5:19 remaining in the first half. but ESU closed the half on a 13-1 scoring run, to go up 40-36 heading into the break.
The Hornets built a 54-47 lead, their lead of the game, with 14:17 remaining. The Mules scored seven points to tie the score at the 12:03 mark before both teams went on a over three minute scoring drought. Central went ahead 57-54 with 8:41 left. The Hornets would take a 64-63 lead following a three by Harris with 6:18 remaining. Central Missouri rattled off a 10-0 scoring run that lasted three minutes to put the Hornets behind 73-64 with 3:29 left in the game. Emporia State was unable to make up the deficit in the final minutes, as they fell 78-71.
Jack Weigus led the Hornets with 15 points and was joined in double figures by
Chris Harris and
Mason Wujek with 12 and 10 points each. Wujek had a career high 14 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return to White Auditorium to take on Fort Hays State on Thursday, January 8. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
