TOPEKA, Kan. - The William Jewell men's basketball team gave the No. 5 ranked Washburn Ichabods all they could handle on Saturday, falling 81-73. The Cardinals drop to 3-2 on the season while Washburn improves to 6-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The home team got off to a hot start, jumping out to a nine point lead before a dunk from Eli Wingert started things for Jewell. Trailing by 12 midway through the first half, Luke Jordan nailed back-to-back three pointers to spark a 12-0 run as Washburn went scoreless for more than six minutes. A traditional three-point play from Bradley Lightbourne tied things up at 24 but another three by the Ichabods made it 29-26 at the half. 
• Through the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Cardinals remained within one or two possessions. Washburn used a 17-5 run to open up their largest lead of the day at 15 with just over three minutes to play. Jewell did not go quietly, following with 14-6 run, led by seven points from Jason Thirdkill, Jr. to get back within single digits but a dunk capped the day for the hosts, winning 81-73. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Thirdkill, Jr. and Jermain finished with a team high 17 points while Jordan added a dozen and Lightbourne, 10. 
• Wingert had a team best six rebounds and four assists.  
• Jewell forced 19 turnovers, leading to 23 points, led by Lightbourne's three steals. 
• The Cardinals shot 42% for the day but could not keep pace late with Washburn who was a blistering 71% from the field in the second half. 

UP NEXT
Jewell continues their MIAA road swing on Tuesday as they head to Missouri Western for a 7:30 p.m. match up.