Game Notes I Watch Live I Listen Live I Live Stats
The Fort Hays State men's basketball team hosts Southwest Baptist on Wednesday night in Hays at 7:30 pm. The Tigers are ranked No. 15 in the latest NCAA Division II national rankings and enter with a record of 20-4 overall and 14-4 in the MIAA. SBU enters at 11-13 and 8-10 in the MIAA.
This game is crucial for the Tigers in their push for the postseason. The Tigers are currently third in the South Central Region rankings, but a loss this past Saturday at Central Missouri could effect their position in this week's rankings that will come out late Wednesday afternoon. The top eight teams in the region have the best shot at making the NCAA Tournament, but three automatic bids are handed out to conference tournament champions.
The Tigers also need this win tonight to remain two games back of Missouri Southern in the loss column for first place in the MIAA standings. The Tigers host No. 8 ranked Missouri Southern on Saturday. The Lions play at Washburn, currently third in the MIAA, on Thursday night, so pending the outcome of that game, Saturday's game could loom even larger.
Southwest Baptist enters this game on a two-game losing streak. They are in a three-way tie for seventh in the MIAA standings, battling to stay alive for the conference tournament. The Tigers edged the Bearcats earlier this year in Bolivar by a score of 74-71.
Dominique Jones continues to lead the scoring attack for FHSU at 17.8 points per game. He scored 20 or more points in four of the last six games. He also leads the team and MIAA in assists per game (6.4). He ranks fourth in the nation in assists per game.
Dijon Smith scored 20 points in the loss at Central Missouri this past Saturday before fouling out with about six minutes remaining in the game. It was the sixth time he's reached at least 20 in a game this year. He is averaging 14.6 points per game. He leads the team and ranks second in the MIAA in field goal percentage (.660).
Ken Bowman, who averages 11.3 points per game, has only reached double figures in two of the last seven contests. He is shooting 63.6 percent from the field for the season. He ranks second on the team in rebounds at 6.0 per game.
Corbin Kuntzsch continues his ascent up the all-time scoring list at FHSU. He is currently 14th with 1,117 points. He needs 18 more points to pass Edgar Eason for 13th and 19 more to pass Nate Rollins for 12th. He averages 10.8 points per game and has reached double figures in each of the last three games.
Moses Dayee is the top scorer off the bench at 8.0 points per game. He has not reached double figures in scoring the last five games after doing so in the previous three. He is second on the team in 3-point field goals made (48) and assists per game (2.2).
Karron McKenzie averages 7.4 points off the bench. He reached double figures in scoring seven times this year, but has not done so in the last eight games. He is the team leader in free-throw percentage (.833, 55-of-66) for player with at least 20 attempts.
Ben Congiusta averages 6.1 points per game, while ranking third on the team in 3-point field goals made (38) and assists per game (2.2).
Matt Simmons is the top rebounder for the Tigers at 6.5 per game. He also chips in 4.7 points per game backing up Bowman and Smith in the post.
Ryan Dougherty is the top scorer for SBU at 14.3 points per game, followed by Tomas Brock at 12.7 and Kurt Koenig at 10.6.
