TOPEKA, Kan. — Northeastern State dropped a 78-54 decision at Washburn on Saturday afternoon at Lee Arena.

The RiverHawks fell to 12-12 overall and 5-10 in MIAA play, while the Ichabods improved to 24-1 and 14-1 in the conference.

NSU struck first on an AJ Reed Jr. three-pointer and held an early 3-0 lead, but Washburn answered with an 11-0 run to seize control less than three minutes into the contest. The Ichabods shot 63 percent in the first half and built a 41-27 advantage at the break.

Reed paced the RiverHawks with 15 points, including four three-pointers, while Nehemiah Weber added nine points. Jaxson Vandegarde provided a spark off the bench, finishing with 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc.

Washburn capitalized on turnovers and controlled the paint throughout the afternoon, holding a 48-22 scoring edge inside. The Ichabods also converted 19 NSU turnovers into 24 points and pushed the margin to as many as 29 midway through the second half.

Northeastern State shot 40 percent (20-of-50) from the field and 33 percent (7-of-21) from three-point range but struggled at the free-throw line, converting 7-of-19 attempts.

The RiverHawks will return to action Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at Northwest Missouri.