Box Score

Fort Hays State fell to Washburn on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 4) in Topeka, Kan., by a score of 79-67. Washburn shot the ball well, hitting 53.3 percent of its field goals in the game compared to just 40 percent by FHSU. The Tigers moved to 14-6 overall and 8-6 in the MIAA with the loss. Washburn is now 16-6 overall and 10-4 in the MIAA.

Will McNeill had his second straight big game against the Tigers. He had 17 of Washburn's 41 points in the first half on 6-of-6 shooting from the field and a 4-of-5 effort at the free-throw line. He finished with 26 points, going 9-of-13 overall and 6-of-7 at the free-throw line. He also led his team in rebounds with eight. Jeff Reid was the only other Ichabod to finish in double figures with 12 points.

After hanging with Washburn in the first half shooting the ball, FHSU went cold in the second half. The Tigers shot 53.8 percent in the opening half to trail only by six (41-35) at halftime. However, Washburn opened the second half on an 11-0 run to take control of the game and FHSU shot just 27.6 percent after the break. After the run by the Ichabods to open the half, the Tigers never came closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Lance Russell and Omar McDade tied for high-point honors for the Tigers with 16 points each. Sean Dreiling also reached double figures with 10 points. The trio combined for all nine (McDade 4, Russell 3, Dreiling 2) of Fort Hays State's 3-point field goals in the game. Matt Simmons pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and Karron McKenzie finished with a team-high five assists.

Fort Hays State will play four of its final six games at home, starting with a pair next week. FHSU hosts Truman on Wednesday (Feb. 8) at 7:30 pm, then Central Missouri on Saturday (Feb. 11) at 4 pm.