Washburn Tops Point Loma 85-81 to Open Season
The No. 2 Ichabods opened the 2026-27 campaign with a close road-neutral win over No. 11 Point Loma in Lakeland, Florida.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
Washburn beat Point Loma 85-81 in its season opener at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida. All five Washburn starters scored in double figures despite being out-rebounded 46-35.
Why it matters
The win gives the No. 2-ranked Ichabods an early statement result against a ranked opponent and establishes their form before a Sunday matchup with West Liberty.
Tyler Salmon led Washburn with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jack Bachelor and Tyson Ruud each scored 15, Brody Owens added 13 and Kade Cook had 10. Washburn's rebounding deficit of 46-35 was offset by balanced scoring across the starting lineup.
The players
Washburn University
Washburn University is a public university in Topeka, Kansas, whose athletic teams compete as the Ichabods in NCAA Division II.
Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private Christian university in San Diego, California, whose teams compete in NCAA Division II.
The details
Washburn made shots when it needed them in the 85-81 win over Point Loma at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida. The Ichabods overcame a rebounding disadvantage with all five starters reaching double figures.
Timeline
Nov. 7, 2026: Washburn defeats Point Loma 85-81 in its season opener.
Sunday, November 2026, 7 p.m.: Washburn plays West Liberty.
Season Trajectory
The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic is an early-season showcase that puts ranked Division II programs against one another before conference play begins. Washburn's win over the No. 11 Point Loma side sets an early benchmark for its ranking as the season opens.
Washburn's balanced scoring and five double-digit scorers offer a sense of how the starting lineup is distributed. Fans and fantasy managers tracking Tyler Salmon and the Ichabods' scorers can watch the Sunday game at 7 p.m. for the next data points.
The takeaway
Washburn's ability to score when it mattered offset a rebounding deficit against a ranked opponent, a useful early signal for its rotation. Watching how the team handles rebounding in Sunday's game will show whether the issue persists.
What happens next
Washburn plays West Liberty on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Further reading
For more on the Ichabods' season, see Topeka Basketball coverage.
