Game Notes I Watch Live I Listen Live I Live Stats

Fort Hays State matches up against a ranked opponent for the second time this season when it hosts Central Missouri on Saturday (Feb. 11) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. Tipoff is set for 4 pm. The Tigers are 15-6 overall and 9-6 in the MIAA, while the 25th ranked Mules enter at 16-5 overall and 12-4 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State looks to avenge its worst loss ever in MIAA play after a 38-point loss at Central Missouri earlier this year by a score of 78-40. The Tigers tied their lowest scoring output ever under Mark Johnson in that game. It was also the largest margin of loss ever to Central Missouri. FHSU was ranked No. 8 in the nation at the time of that loss.

That game started a nine-game win streak for Central Missouri after starting 3-3 in MIAA play. The Mules vaulted all the way to first place in the conference during the streak, until it was snapped this past Wednesday at Washburn. That loss dropped Central Missouri into second place in the MIAA at 12-4, a half game back of Northwest Missouri State, which is 12-3.

The loss at Central Missouri earlier this year started a three-game losing streak for the Tigers after a 10-1 overall start to the season. The Tigers are now in fifth place in the MIAA at 9-6, one and a half games back of fourth-place Missouri Southern, which is 11-5, and just a half game ahead of Southwest Baptist, which is 9-7.

FHSU is coming off a win over Truman at home on Wednesday night by a score of 76-57. All five starters for the Tigers scored in double figures and accounted for 67 of the team's 76 points.

Karron McKenzie leads the team in scoring at 11.1 points per game, followed closely by Moses Dayee at 11.0 points per game. Kendrick Morse is also averaging double figures at 10.2 points per game.

Matt Simmons continues to lead the MIAA in rebounds at 9.5 per game. He is also the conference leader in blocked shots per game at 1.9. Simmons posted the sixth double-double of his career on Wednesday against Truman with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Omar McDade and Lance Russell have picked up their offensive play of late. McDade is averaging 11.8 points per game over the last six games and scored a season-high 16 in each of the last two games. Russell is averaging 11.2 points per game over the last five games with 17 being his high in that stretch.