Box Score

Fort Hays State struggled mightily from the field on Wednesday evening (Dec. 7) against Washburn, losing 61-45 at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. The 10th-ranked Tigers never found a rhythm offensively thanks to a well executed defensive plan by the Ichabods, shooting just 31.1 percent from the field for the game. It was the first loss of the season for FHSU, now 7-1 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA. Washburn moved to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, which allowed the Tigers to trail by just five at the break, 25-20. But things would not get any better for FHSU in the second half, while Washburn shot 54.2 percent from the field in the second stanza to pull away for the 16-point win. FHSU was just 26.9 percent from beyond the 3-point line (7-of-26).

Washburn limited Fort Hays State to just five second-chance points in the game. The Ichabods killed the Tigers on the boards, outrebounding them 39-23. It was the first game this year the Tigers were outrebounded.

The poor shooting was contagious throughout the team, as only two of the 10 Tigers that played in the game shot at least 50 percent. Lance Russell, who was 3-of-5 from the field, led the Tigers with nine points. All of his points were on 3-point field goals. Karron McKenzie and Tyrone Phillips, the top two scorers on the team, were each held to just five points. The two entered the game combining for over 30 points per game for the Tigers.

Will McNeill led Washburn with 20 points, followed by Martin Mitchell with 18.

Fort Hays State was not the only team in the MIAA to fall victim to the upset bug. Missouri Southern, the newly annointed No. 1 team in the nation as of Tuesday, fell at Missouri Western on Wednesday night. Fort Hays State hosts Missouri Western on Saturday, fresh off its win over the No. 1 team in the nation.