A 9-0 run in the final two minutes allowed Washburn Rural to skate past the Manhattan High boys 45-40 on Tuesday night in Topeka. The Junior Blues built a 23-12 lead in the second quarter, but the Tribe pulled within seven at the half, and outscored Rural 14-4 in the third. MHS could never pull away though, and held a 37-35 edge with 2:15 to play. The Tribe intended to run the clock down and force the Junior Blues to foul, however they gave the ball up on an unforced turnover. Riley Landuyt knocked down a three-pointer to give Rural a 38-37 lead, Michael Singer then made a layup in transition, followed by four straight free throws to put the game away at 44-37 with less than 30 seconds to go.
Manhattan (6-7, 2-4) was led by 13 points from Payton Stephens, eight of which came in the first half, and he managed only one field goal in the final two quarters. Landuyt topped Rural (8-6, 4-2) with 15 points.
The Tribe boys and girls will start the month of February against on Friday night against Topeka High. Tipoff in Manhattan will be at 6:00pm, and pregame for the doubleheader begins at 5:45 on SportsRadio 1350 KMAN.
