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Nebraska-Omaha Claims Men's Championship
By David Boyce
Nebraska-Omaha led most of the second half, but still had one anxious moment in the final seconds.
With 2.9 seconds left, Washburn went the entire length of the court and got a good look at a layup. Will McNeill's reverse layup hit off the back of the rim.
The Mavericks hung on for a 69-67 victory Sunday at Municipal Auditorium and claimed the MIAA Men's Basketball Championship. It's the second year Nebraska-Omaha has been a member of the MIAA.
"It's big in any year, year two or year 20," said Nebraska-Omaha guard Tyler Bullock, who was picked Most Valuable Player of the tournament. "You will take a championship anytime you can get it.
"This is probably my worst interview by far because I'm so excited."
Nebraska-Omaha improved to 22-8 and ended the Cinderella run by No. 8 seed Washburn. The Ichabods finished the year 16-14. It was an amazing turnaround for Washburn, which started off 1-7 in conference play.
"This one was a tough one to swallow," Washburn coach Bob Chipman said. "I've been in national championship games that weren't as tough. This group could have quit and they didn't quit."
Washburn made the Mavericks play every second to win the game.
In the last 10:08, every possession was important. It started with Nebraska-Omaha clinging to a 49-48 lead.
"We said fellows, this is going to be a grind," Nebraska-Omaha coach Derrin Hansen said. "You are going to have to win a grinder. "I thought our guys did that. They really toughened up down the stretch. I thought we got some big stops and some big rebounds."
Nebraska-Omaha increased its lead to 53-49 on a jumper by redshirt freshmen Alex Welhouse. Washburn answered when freshman Mitch Allen drilled a three-pointer.
A minute later Nebraska-Omaha went up 57-52 on two free throws by Matt Newman.
The Ichabods closed to 59-58 on a three-pointer by Allen.
There was never a dull moment down the stretch as each team had somebody different step up with a big shot.
With 3:11 left, Jeff Martin gave Nebraska-Omaha a 67-62 lead on a three-pointer. Martin, who saw many of his three-point attempts rim out, fired away with confidence.
"At one point Jeff missed like two or three in a row and we were up three or four," said Nebraska-Omaha guard Andrew Bridger said. "I knew Jeff was going to hit a big shot. He's a great shooter. I'm not going to tell anybody not to shoot a three when they are open, especially on our team."
Undaunted by Martin's trey, Washburn battled right back and closed to 67-66 with 2:27 left on a layup by Logan Stutz, who finished with 23 points.
"We just couldn't find a way to get the lead," Stutz said. "It was frustrating because every time we came up with a stop they would stop us. When we had a turnover, they had a turnover. We trade buckets, trade stops, trade turnovers. We just couldn't find a way to get on top."
Nebraska-Omaha simply made the plays when it needed to.
In all three wins in the MIAA Tournament, Nebraska-Omaha had somebody different step up. Against Washburn it was Welhouse who played some important minutes when some teammates got in foul trouble.
"I needed to step up for my team," Welhouse said. "When I got in there I was trying to do anything for the team, whatever I had to do, rebound, play defense."
Welhouse scored six points on 3 of 5 shooting and also pulled down three rebounds.
"Alex just sparingly for us," Hansen said. "I think what got him going was he got two big rebounds early and that settled him into the game because then he made a shot and then another shot. He got in the flow of the game.
To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, e-mail dboyce@themiaa.com.
