Game Notes I Listen Live I Live Stats

The No. 19 ranked Tigers take on long-time in-state rival Emporia State in the semifinals of the MIAA Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday (Mar. 5). Game time is set for 2:15 pm, which follows the first semifinal between Missouri Southern and Nebraska-Omaha.

The Tigers are coming off an 86-85 nailbiting win over Missouri Western on Thursday evening. Fort Hays State, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, makes its third semifinal appearance in its fifth year as members of the MIAA. However, the Tigers are in search of their first finals appearance in Kansas City.

Emporia State, the No. 6 seed, knocked off No. 3 seed Washburn in the first round 67-61. The Tigers and Hornets meet for the second consecutive week after the Hornets edged the Tigers in Emporia in the regular season finale this past Saturday 81-77. The teams split the regular season series, with the Tigers winning an 81-80 nailbiter in Hays.

The winner will meet either No. 1 seed Missouri Southern or No. 4 seed Nebraska-Omaha on Sunday at 1 pm. That game will be televised on the MIAA Network.

Dominique Jones led the Tigers on Thursday night with 17 points, hitting two free-throws with nine seconds remaining to lift the Tigers to victory. The two-time All-MIAA First Team selection leads the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game. He also leads the MIAA in assists per game (6.3).

Corbin Kuntzsch had a solid game on Thursday with 14 points, shooting 50 percent from the field. He moved to 11th on the all-time scoring list at FHSU, now with 1,160 points.

Karron McKenzie had one of his biggest games of the year off the bench against Missouri Western with 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Despite both fouling out, Dijon Smith and Ken Bowman each reached double figures in the win over Missouri Western. Smith had 12 points and Bowman had 11. Smith is the second-leading scorer on the team at 14.3 points per game and Bowman is third at 11.4 points per game.

Emporia State is led in scoring by Xavier Burnette at 13.8 points per game, followed by Michael Tyler at 12.2 and Adam Holthaus at 11.5.