Box Score

The No. 15 ranked Tigers survived a scare from Southwest Baptist on Wednesday evening (Feb. 16) in Hays, winning by a score of 82-77. The Tigers got a huge defensive stop with two seconds remaining to keep a one-point lead. Dijon Smith hit a pair of free-throws to make it a three-point game, then SBU turned the ball over by stepping over the end line. Karron McKenzie then hit a pair of free-throws to seal the game.

Despite outshooting the Bearcats 60 percent to 43.9 percent in the game, the Tigers could not pull away in the second half. The lead reached eight points three times midway through the half, but SBU chipped away to make it a one-point game on a Tomas Brock 3-point field goal with 33 seconds left.

The Tigers were then whistled for a five-second count on the inbounds, giving the ball back to SBU. The Bearcats held for one shot with the shot clock off, down one. Staunch defense by the Tigers made it tough on Tomas Brock to get a shot off on the baseline and Dijon Smith secured the rebound with two seconds remaining, allowing the Tigers to survive.

Dijon Smith led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting and a 5-of-9 effort at the free-throw line. He tied for the team lead in rebounds with Corbin Kuntzsch, each with seven. Kuntzsch, along with Ken Bowman and Karron McKenzie each chipped in 14 points.

Tomas Brock and Kurt Koenig paced Southwest Baptist with 20 points a piece. Stephen Cotten added 15 points.

The Tigers now gear up for their huge showdown with conference leader Missouri Southern on Saturday in the final home game of the regular season. The Lions are two games up on FHSU in the loss column in the conference standings, but the Lions play at Washburn Thursday night before coming to Hays. Pending that outcome, the Tigers will have either a chance to pull within one game of the Lions or tie them with two games remaining. Game time is set for 4 pm.