Box Score
Fort Hays State, ranked ninth in the latest NCAA Central Region rankings released on Feb. 27, defeated Missouri Western 73-57 on Wednesday evening (Feb. 27) in Hays. The Tigers moved to 18-7 overall and 12-5 in the MIAA, still a game back of Central Missouri for first in the MIAA with one game to play.
Fort Hays State still has a shot at a share of the conference regular season crown. The Tigers are now a half game up on Washburn for second, which plays at Emporia State on Thursday evening. If Washburn wins that game, they will stay tied with FHSU for second, but a loss would put FHSU alone in second with one game to play. Fort Hays State hosts Lincoln on Friday evening (Mar. 1) in Hays. With a win, the Tigers would have to wait and see the outcome of Central Missouri vs. Washburn in Topeka on Saturday if it would either tie for the conference title or finish in second. Friday's game is also big for the Tigers to stay in the race for the NCAA Tournament as eight teams are selected for the Central Regional.
The Tigers led the Griffons on Wednesday night from start to finish. A 16-6 run by the Tigers in the first half pushed a six point lead to 16 with 7:30 remaining before the half. MWSU trimmed the lead back to 11 by halftime. The FHSU lead dipped inside double digits just once in the second half at the 12:53 mark, but a 13-5 run pushed the lead back to 17 with 8:49 remaining. Fort Hays State's largest lead was 19 with 2:44 remaining.
Dwayne Brunson led the scoring effort for the Tigers with 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field.
Ben Congiusta scored 15 all on five 3-point field goals and added a team-high eight assists.
Lance Russell nearly had a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Craig Nicholson also reached double figures with 10 points, while adding five assists.
Reed Mells was the only MWSU player to score in double figures with 15 points.
Fort Hays State hosts Lincoln on Friday (Mar. 1) at 7:30 pm, looking to solidify a bye for the first round of the MIAA Tournament. The Tigers are still not mathematically locked for a bye in the tournament.
