The Missouri Southern basketball team switched to a zone defense midway through the second half en route to an 11-0 run and the 12th ranked Lions put away visiting Washburn, 82-67 on Saturday.

Southern (15-2, 5-2 MIAA) started the game with a three from Skyler Bowlin to take an early lead. The lead moved to six (8-2) after a pair of free-throws from Vincent Ateba with 17:41 left in the half.

Washburn (9-5, 5-2 MIAA) took its first lead of the game at 9-8 on a layup from Lekheythan Malone. The Lions tied the game at 11 on a three pointer from Jason Adams and another three from Adams just one minute later gave the Lions a 14-11 lead with 10:22 left. The lead grew to as much as six after a pair of free throws from Matt Monroe with eight minutes left, however the Ichabods went on a 15-4 run over the next four minutes and took a five point lead after a free-throw from Logan Stutz. The Lions had a four point lead with 1:45 left in the half after a three from Tony Webb, but a pair of buckets from Washburn tied the score at the half.

Webb and Adams led the Lions with eight points each off the bench in the first half.

The Ichabods opened up an early five point advantage in the second half when Mario Scott scored on a layup with 17:31 left. A three from Matt Monroe at the 15 minute, mark, however, gave the Lions a two-point advantage at 49-47. The game was tied at 59 at the 8:48 minute mark and after a media timeout, the Lions switched to a 2-3 zone defense and held the Ichabods scoreless for six-straight possessions over three minutes and reeled off an 11-0 run, capped off by a three from Bowlin to go up 70-59 with 5:39 left.

The Lions finished the game off with a 5-2 run.

Mariun Price led all scorers with 16 points on 6-9 shooting from the field. Bowlin and Webb each scored 14 points, while Webb connected on 4-7 from long range. Adams scored 13, while DaRell Crittendon had seven points and a team-high eight rebounds. Malone led the Ichabods with 16 points.

The Lions forced 20 turnovers and scored 26 points off of the miscues, while dishing out 17 assists on 25 made baskets.

Southern will have a quick turn around as the Lions will play host to Fort Hays State on Monday, January 12 at 7:30 pm in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Story courtesy of Missouri Southern athletics