No. 4 Washburn (30-4) played some of the most beautiful basketball that the capital city has ever seen this year. The ball zipped around the court, 3-pointers were drained and dunks were slammed.

Sadly, the Ichabods' season came to a close in the Final Four in Evansville, Indiana on Thursday. No. 1 Nova Southeastern (35-1) took down Topeka’s team 94-68.

The Sharks earned their spot in Saturday’s national title game for the third straight season. Washburn held an early 3-2 lead, but they could never recover against Nova Southeastern’s defensive intensity and incredible shooting performance.

“It just wasn’t out night,” Washburn head coach Brett Ballard said. “Nova is elite and they play at a high level. We got sped up a bit and I think that impacted our defense because we could never slow them down.”

The Sharks shot 49% from the field and 46% from behind the 3-point line. Washburn turned the ball over 13 times which led to some easy baskets in the first half. The Ichabods shot 4-for-19 from behind the arc which really hurt their chances.

“I wish I would have had a better game plan for these guys so that we could have slowed their attack down,” Ballard said.

Moments after saying those words in the post-game press conference, senior Andrew Orr defended his head coach. This is how Washburn has been throughout the entire year. They’ve won together and in this moment, they lost together.

“We did everything that we could,” Orr said. “He said that he could have done more, but our coaching staff stays up throughout the entire night trying to game plan what we could do. I think they did a fantastic job with our game plan, I think we could have executed it better.”

Washburn’s season was one to remember.

They started the year with a 22-0 record and were named the No. 1 team in the nation. The Ichabods would go on to win the MIAA Regular Season Championship, a feat they hadn’t accomplished since 2012. It was also their first outright conference title since 2004.

“This team will go down as one of the best to ever play in Washburn history and there’s a proud tradition at our school,” Ballard said. “The journey that they took us on was a lot of fun.”

Jacob Hanna, who was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, led Washburn with 15 points in the defeat to Nova Southeastern.

It was the Wichita native’s only season with the Ichabods as he transferred in from Illinois-Springfield as a senior. Hanna made the most of his time with the program delivering on the big stage.

“I wanted to come here to compete for championships and I had that chance tonight,” Hanna said. “It didn’t go our way, but I am just happy that I made the decision and I’m happy that all of the players on the team accepted me.”

Jake Schadegg, Michael Keegan, and Orr played meaningful minutes in the Final Four game. Orr scored 13 points while Keegan added six points and Schadegg featured in 8 minutes collecting a rebound.

Keegan and Orr have started for a majority of their career at Washburn. They lifted this program to a regional title, Elite Eight and Final Four. It was the first time since 2001 that Washburn has accomplished this type of triumph.

“Both of those guys have been really loyal,” Ballard said with tears filling his eyes. “It’s pretty unique to have guys in your program for four or five years in this day and age. Both leaders, both winners, both great people. They are going to be great in life.”

When Washburn walked off the court for the final time, they left together. Just like the season started in Allen Fieldhouse, they entered the court together on that October evening.

This group brought joy to the Washburn campus and fans returned the favor showing up for every game. Lee Arena was the place the be in all of Division II basketball as the Ichabods led the nation in attendance.

“There’s just not anything like it being on a team, especially like this team,” Orr said. “It’s the coolest thing that I have ever been a part of.”