The No. 5 ranked FHSU men's basketball team defeated defending MIAA champion Central Missouri on Wednesday (Jan. 5) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays by a score of 83-59. With the win, the Tigers remain tied atop the MIAA standings with Missouri Southern and improved to 12-1 overall and 6-1 in the MIAA. Central Missouri is now 8-5 overall and 3-4 in the MIAA.

The Tigers used a 10-0 run at the opening of the second half to extend a seven-point lead to 17 points. They never let the Mules closer than 12 points the rest of the way. The Tigers produced another game of shooting at least 50 percent from the field, right at that mark making 30-of-60 shots for the game. They were a red-hot 57.9 percent beyond the 3-point line (11-of-19) and 75 percent at the free-throw line (12-of-16). The Tigers produced 20 assists on their 30 baskets.

Central Missouri produced the majority of its offense off the dribble with just three assists to go with its 19 field goals. They were held to just 36.5 percent shooting overall and 25 percent beyond the 3-point line. They were outrebounded by the Tigers 42-29.

Matt Simmons filled up the stat sheet for the Tigers with eight points, 16 rebounds, two assists, three blocked shots, and one steal. He grabbed 15 of his 16 boards on the defensive end. The 16 rebounds ties his season high and team high for the season.

Dominique Jones led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points, hitting 6-of-13 shots, which included three 3-point field goals. He was 4-of-6 at the free-throw line. Dijon Smith added 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting with two free-throws. Also reaching double figures were Moses Dayee with 12 points, all on 3-point field goals, and Karron McKenzie with 10.

Corbin Kuntzsch finished the night with nine points and became the 17th player in Fort Hays State history to score 1,000 points in a career. His 3-point field goal to open the second half put him over the mark.

Boo Hunter led Central Missouri with 17 points, followed by Ryan Harris with 14. The two tied for the team lead in rebounds, each with six.

The Tigers now head on a very difficult road trip with two games in three days. They will also end a stretch of four games within eight days. Fort Hays State plays at Southwest Baptist (7-6, 4-3 MIAA) on Saturday at 7:30 pm. With a win, the Tigers could set up a potential battle for first place in the conference at previously ranked Missouri Southern (10-1, 6-1 MIAA) on Monday at 7:30 pm.