Box Score

Fort Hays State fell at Washburn on Saturday evening (Feb. 23) in Topeka, Kan. by a score of 76-70, falling back into a tie for second place in the MIAA with the Ichabods. The loss snapped a seven-game win streak for the Tigers, their longest of the season. FHSU moved to 17-7 overall, 11-5 in the MIAA, while Washburn moved to 18-6 overall, 11-5 in the MIAA.

Turnovers were a big difference in a game that FHSU outshot Washburn in percentage from the field, 3-point range, and the free-throw line. Washburn forced 19 turnovers out of the Tigers, while committing just eight

Ben Congiusta put the Tigers up by seven early at 9-2 with three consecutive 3-point field goals to open the game. Congiusta would go on to make six 3-point field goals in the game and lead the Tigers with 20 points.

Washburn took its first lead at 12-11 and its largest lead of the first half was only five before leading at the half 35-31. The Ichabods pushed their lead to six at 42-36 with 15:50 left in the game, but could never break free from the Tigers.

FHSU kept chipping away, tying the score twice before taking the lead back at 55-53 on Congiusta's sixth 3-point field goal with 10:14 remaining in the game. But Washburn kept answering the Tigers to keep the game tight and the last lead for FHSU occurred at the 7:48 mark when Congiusta hit a jumper to put FHSU back up by one. Washburn pushed took the lead back and pushed it to six with 4:04 to play and the Tigers could not get closer than three points the rest of the way.

Carson Konrade also had a big night for FHSU beyond the 3-point line, going 4-of-8 from deep. He finished with 15 points. Craig Nicholson added 11 points and dished out a team-high five assists.

Will McNeill finished with a game-high 28 points for Washburn, hitting several clutch shots in the second half to keep Washburn in control of the game. Bobby Chipman added 14 points and Zack Riggins and Joseph Smith each had 12.

Fort Hays State and Washburn are now tied for second in the MIAA, just one game back of Central Missouri. The two-game homestand to end the regular season for FHSU will be huge, as Central Missouri ends the season at Washburn next Saturday. All three teams have just two games remaining in conference play. FHSU hosts Missouri Western on Wednesday (Feb. 27) and Lincoln on Friday (Mar. 1) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

Also critical in the home series will be if the Tigers can secure a bye for the first round of the MIAA Tournament. The top four teams in the conference receive byes and do not have to play in the opening round of the 12-team tournament.