Game Notes I Watch Live I Listen Live I Live Stats
The No. 12 ranked Tigers, fresh off a huge comeback win at Truman on Thursday night, face one of their toughest road contests of the season on Saturday at Central Missouri. The Tigers and Mules each enter on three-game win streaks, with the Tigers at 20-3 overall, 14-3 in the MIAA, and Central Missouri at 15-8 overall, 10-7 in the MIAA. Game time is set for 3:30 pm.
Central Missouri has been extremely tough to beat at home this year, 10-1 on its home floor. The only loss was by two points on a despiration heave by Nebraska-Omaha at the buzzer from halfcourt. The Mules defeated MIAA leader Missouri Southern earlier this year by 10 in Warrensburg. The Mules are now fifth in the conference standings after winning three straight.
Fort Hays State was responsible for Central Missouri's only home loss last year by a score of 81-71. The Mules were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time, while the Tigers were 13th. The Tigers enter with a very similar ranking this year, but the Mules are a completely different team without All-American performers Sanijay Watts and Alex Moosmann that led them to a conference championship last year.
Every game becomes more crucial down the stretch for FHSU, still trailing Missouri Southern by a game in the conference standings. Missouri Southern just completed a three-game sweep on the road with a win at Pittsburg State on Wednesday. The Lions host Emporia State on Saturday, but have just two road games remaining on their schedule, at Washburn and Fort Hays State next week.
Dominique Jones led the Tigers in their furious comeback on Thursday at Truman with 26 points. He continues to lead the team in scoring at 17.9 points per game. He has scored 20 or more points in four of the last five games. He continues to lead the team and MIAA in assists per game (6.4). He also leads the team in 3-point field goals made with 52, shooting 40.6 percent beyond the arc.
Dijon Smith remained at 14.4 points per game this season with a 14-point effort at Truman. He leads FHSU in field goal percentage (.653) and ranks second in the MIAA. He also leads the team and MIAA in blocked shots per game (1.6).
Ken Bowman is third on the team in scoring at 11.4 points per game. He has reached double figures just twice in the last six games. All four of the games where he did not reach double figures he played less than 20 minutes. He is second on the team in rebounds, averaging 6.2 per game, and ranks second in the MIAA in blocked shots per game (1.3).
Corbin Kuntzsch moved over 1,100 points for his career with 14 points at Truman. He continues to rank 14th on the all-time scoring list at FHSU, now with 1,106 points. Kuntzsch averages 10.7 points per game and ranks third on the team in rebounds with 5.8 per game.
Moses Dayee ranks second on the team in 3-point field goals made with 47. He is shooting 40.2 percent beyond the arc and ranks second on the team in assists per game (2.3). He is the top scorer off the bench at 8.2 points per game.
Karron McKenzie leads the Tigers in free-throw percentage for players with a significant amount of attempts. He is shooting 84.4 percent from the stripe, while averaging 7.5 points per game for the season.
Matt Simmons is the top rebounder on the team at 6.5 per game. He chips in an average of 4.8 points per game off the bench in the post behind Smith and Bowman.
Central Missouri is led by Boo Hunter in scoring at 15.2 points per game. The Mules and Tigers are the top two scoring defense teams in the conference. Central Missouri allows 68.3 points per game and Fort Hays State allows 68.7 points per game.
