The 6-foot-10, 220-pound senior had missed the Jayhawks’ previous 18 games because of injuries, sitting out the final 14 games of last season with an undisclosed medical condition and missing the team’s first four regular-season games this year with an ankle injury.

“It got a little tender at the end and I had to come out,” Axtell said of his left ankle, “but overall it went really well. I can’t push off of it like I want to. Obviously I’m not as quick as I want to be right now, but I’m going to deal with it.”

After leading the team in scoring with 16 points a game during two exhibition contests, Axtell severely sprained his ankle during the Jayhawks’ practice Nov. 7, their last before leaving for the Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic in New York.

“I started out real well and then (hurt) the ankle so it makes you antsy to get back and do something,” he said. “I’m getting back into it now. My legs feel fine. My lungs got a little out of shape, but my legs feel great and that’s the main part.”

Axtell said the injury didn’t hamper him much now, but can be problematic when moving side to side.

“It’s hard for me to shoot on the move,” he said. “Laterally, it’s hard for me to stop and shoot.”

Axtell finished 2-of-5 from the field against the Ichabods for five points and dished out three assists.

Known for his long-distance shooting, Axtell was 1-of-3 from three-point range, but that one three-pointer was on his first official attempt since January 24 against Colorado.

“It was great,” Axtell said, “especially to make one. I always want to do that. That’s just the fun part of the game for me at least, that’s what I’m best at.”

After the shot dropped through the net, the crowd gave Axtell a round of applause and a chorus of “Luuuke,” which he had also received upon entering the game.

“I love these fans,” he said. “I mean, you can’t mess up with them really. It’s really easy to play here. It was definitely a confidence builder and a good way to get back into it.”

A blowout against a Division-II team like Washburn helped Axtell’s return as well.

“That was good because I didn’t feel like I was going to hurt the team that much if I messed up,” he said. “There’s also the mental part because I haven’t been practicing for like a week and a half, two weeks so it’s good to get into that kind of game.”

After the game, Axtell said he felt great and was optimistic about the rest of the Jayhawks’ season.

“It’ll get better and better as this goes away,” he said, “but right now I still have it with me and I’m just going to try and take care of it.”