Washburn basketball vs Rogers St. — Ichabods dominate for conference title

It was a spectacular game for Washburn men’s basketball in the MIAA Tournament Championship game on Sunday, March 8.

No. 1 Washburn (31-1) dominated No. 3 Rogers State (21-9) from start to end in downtown Kansas City. The Ichabods won the MIAA title 91-59 over the Hillcats.

Washburn never trailed in the game as it was the more impressive team from start-to-finish. The Ichabods led by as many as 39 points.

This is Washburn’s first conference tournament title since 2021. This is also the team’s first conference championship in Kansas City since 2012.

The conference title all but solidifies the Ichabods as the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Central Region. The selection show will take place on Sunday night.

Washburn’s Jeremiah Jones, Brady Christiansen and Jack Bachelor were named to the MIAA’s all-tournament team. Bachelor was awarded the tournament’s most valuable player.

Here’s everything that happened in Washburn’s flawless conference title victory.

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. CT: Washburn domination in MIAA Tournament Championship

Washburn wins 91-59 in wire-to-wire fashion over Rogers State in the MIAA Tournament Championship. The Ichabods were excellent in every corner of the game. From the team's defense to its offensive production, Washburn was by far the better team.

UPDATE: 5:11 p.m. CT: Washburn doubling up on Rogers State

Jack Bachelor is on a personal 5-0 mini run for the Ichabods. He nails a 3-pointer and makes a tough transition layup. Washburn doubling Rogers State's score right now. The Ichabods lead 77-38 with 8:19 to play.

UPDATE: 5:09 p.m. CT: Ruud getting the fans out of their seats

It was a flawless transition play for Washburn. Jeremiah Jones stole the ball at the high post and delivered a perfect pass to Sam Ungashick. As he drove to the rim, Ungashick lofted the ball at the hoop where Tyson Ruud threw down a major dunk.

Washburn leads Rogers State 71-36 with 9:55 left in the game.

UPDATE: 5:03 p.m. CT: Washburn maintaining its big lead

Washburn leads 65-34 over Rogers State in the MIAA Championship with 11:58 to go in the game. Washburn is feasting on the glass, as it has 18 offensive rebounds. Bryson Smith leads all scorers with 16 points. Brady Christiansen has 15 points, too.

UPDATE: 4:51 p.m. CT: Washburn extends lead to 30 points

Washburn's Brady Christiansen just went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. Washburn is now ahead 57-26 with 17:03 left to play. Ichabods dominating in every facet of the game, really impressive basketball.

UPDATE: 4:44 p.m. CT: The second half is underway

Washburn has the ball and the second half has started. The Ichabods are 20 minutes away from being MIAA Tournament champions.

UPDATE: 4:28 p.m. CT: HALFTIME: Washburn 49, Rogers State 25

Bryson Smith makes a layup at the end of the half to give Washburn a 24-point lead. What a performance from Washburn. It was an offensive clinic with the Ichabods shooting 45% from the field and 46% from behind the arc.

Washburn has also scored 15 second chance points. Smith leads all scorers with 12 points.

UPDATE: 4:19 p.m. CT: Largest lead of the game for Washburn

The Ichabods lead 40-23 with 4:22 left in the first half. Tyson Ruud just put his defender on skates and drove to the rim for an impressive layup. Washburn getting to all of its spots right now.

UPDATE: 4:10 p.m. CT: Washburn's depth continues to impress

Washburn's bench has been playing great this season and throughout the MIAA Tournament. Marcus Glock forced a turnover and played great on-ball defense. Isaiah Saams-Hoy has been playing some big minutes, too. Tyson Ruud is making his third-career start for the injured Dillon Claussen. Ruud has five points on 2-for-2 shooting.

Washburn leads 34-20 with 7:30 to play in the first half.

UPDATE: 4:01 p.m. CT: Washburn controlling the tempo

The Ichabods lead 24-12 with 11:47 left in the first half. Washburn is shooting 53% from the field. Rogers State has been effective, too. The Hillcats are making 62.5% of their shots, but Washburn's ability to force turnovers has been huge.

Washburn has forced four turnovers resulting in seven points.

UPDATE: 3:57 p.m. CT: Bryson Smith came to play

Bryson Smith is on fire in the opening minutes. He has a game-high nine points as he just nailed a deep 3-pointer from the right wing. Washburn leads 22-10 with 12:50 to play in the first half.

UPDATE: 3:49 p.m. CT: Quick start for the Ichabods

Washburn has started the game really well. The Ichabods lead 11-3 with 17:11 to play in the first half. Rogers State has to call a timeout to slow down Washburn's momentum. Jeremiah Jones and Bryson Smith have combined nine points.

UPDATE: 3:47 p.m. CT: The MIAA Championship is underway

The Hillcats win the tip and the conference title is underway.

Pregame

Washburn's Dillon Claussen in street clothes

Washburn's starting forward is set to miss his second consecutive game. He is not warming up and is in street clothes. Washburn head coach Brett Ballard said he was dealing with a quad issue, after Saturday's semifinal victory.

Washburn starting lineup

Rogers State starting lineup

MIAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship

Washburn basketball vs Rogers State game time

Date: Sunday, March 8
Time: 3:30 p.m. (CT)
Location: Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri

How to watch or listen to Washburn basketball vs Rogers State game?

Stream: The MIAA Network
Radio: Washburn Athletics on Country 106.9

Washburn basketball’s 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at Washburn’s last three games:

Feb. 28 (home): Missouri Southern — Washburn won 84-74
March 5 (MIAA Quarterfinal): Central Oklahoma — Washburn won 91-52
March 7 (MIAA Semifinal): Missouri Western State — Washburn won 85-69

Rogers State basketball’s 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at Rogers State’s last three games:

Feb. 28 (away): at Arkansas-Fort Smith — Rogers State won 84-79 (OT)
March 6 (MIAA Quarterfinal): Fort Hays State — Rogers State won 70-63
March 7 (MIAA Semifinal): Missouri Southern — Rogers State won 72-70

Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn basketball vs Rogers St. — Ichabods dominate for conference title

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