Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - The Mavericks shot 65 percent in the second half and they made 16 of their last 18 free throw attempts to secure an 80-72 win over Washburn in the MIAA opener at Sapp Fieldhouse Wednesday.

Nebraska-Omaha remained perfect at 6-0 and moved to 1-0 in the MIAA. The Ichabods dropped to 5-1 and 0-1. The Mavs will continue action Saturday at 6 p.m. at home against Fort Hays State.

Tyler Bullock made 11-of-12 free throws as he led UNO with 19 points. Andrew Bridger scored 18 points and just missed a double-double with nine assists. Dion Curry added 12 points and Matt Newman came off the bench to score 10.

The Mavericks shot 51 percent in the game while Washburn shot 40 percent. UNO finished 75 percent (30-of-40) from the free throw line while WU was 14-of-24 for a 58 percent effort.

The Mavs shot just two field goals in the final five minutes of the game and they made them both. They were fouled eight times and they made 14 of 16 free throws in that stretch.

Washburn got within five points four different times in that stretch but UNO answered with either two made free throws or a field goal each possession afterward.

The first half saw six ties and four lead changes. Washburn never led by more than three and UNO led by as much as seven at the 2:23 mark. The Ichabods ended that half on a 7-1 run after that cut UNO's lead to one at 35-34.

Bullock opened the second half with a dunk but Washburn responded and led briefly until the 15:00 mark when UNO took over for good.

Newman led UNO with eight rebounds and Curry had seven. Washburn won the rebound battle, 34-33.

De'Andre Washington led the Ichabods with 15 points.