The Fort Hays State men's basketball team, coming off a one-point win over Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday, renews its long-time rivalry with Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday (Feb. 9) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The game is set to tip at 4 pm. Fort Hays State enters at 14-6 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA. Nebraska-Kearney is 6-14 overall and 3-9 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State is now in a tie for second place with Northwest Missouri State and Lindenwood at 8-4 after a win over Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday night. That pulled the Bearcats back into a tie with the Tigers. Lindenwood knocked off Northeastern State to drop NSU a half game back of second place. Washburn is also just a half game back of second in the standings after getting beat on Wednesday at home by Missouri Western. All the teams were helped by league leader Central Missouri losing at Central Oklahoma. FHSU, NWMSU, and LWU are all just a game back of Central Missouri for first place.
Fort Hays State enters Saturday on a four-game win streak. They won at Truman before returning home to win three more in a row. Nebraska-Kearney has won just two of its last eight contests. The Lopers lost their last game on February 1 against Central Oklahoma at home.
Dwayne Brunson leads FHSU in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. He averages 15.2 points, 7.9 points, and 2.2 blocked shots per game. He leads the conference in blocked shots.
Lance Russell (14.0), Craigh Nicholson (13.4) and
Ben Congiusta (12.8) also average double figures in scoring. Nicholson leads the MIAA in assists at 7.4 per game.
