Box Score Northwest Missouri State buried 10 3-point field goals in the first half to build a 17-point lead and then held off the Tigers in the second half for an 88-74 win in Hays on Saturday (Dec. 21). The loss drops FHSU to 8-3 overall and 0-3 in the MIAA, while Northwest Missouri State moved to 8-4 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA.

The Bearcats set the tone early by hitting their first two 3-point field goal attempts to jump out 6-0 to start the game. FHSU battled back to take its only lead of the game, 13-12 at the 13:08 mark, but NWMSU took the lead back a minute later. After a 19-19 tie at the 8:55 mark of the first half, NWMSU closed out the first half on a 29-12 run.

Fort Hays State came out in the second half in a frenzy and cut the lead all the way down to five with 10:43 to go in the game, but would not get closer than that margin the rest of the way. The last five-point spread occurred at 8:44 remaining before NWMSU slowly pulled away for the win.

Craig Nicholson posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists, and had a team-high four steals. Dwayne Brunson led the Tigers with 19 points. Tomislav Gabric scored 15 and Carson Konrade added 14. FHSU finished 51.9 percent from the field but just 30 percent beyond the 3-point line.

DeShaun Cooper was red hot from 3-point range for NWMSU, finishing with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, which included a 6-of-8 effort beyond the 3-point line. Grant Cozad and Dillon Starzl reached double figures with 14 and 11 points respectively. Bryston Williams added 13 points with three 3-point field goals. Northwest Missouri State finished 13-of-20 beyond the 3-point line (65 percent). NWMSU shot 51.9 percent from the field overall. NWMSU also was solid at the free-throw line, going 21-of-24 (87.5 percent).