Fort Hays State looks to lock itself into one of the four byes for the MIAA Tournament on Wednesday when it hosts Central Oklahoma on Wednesday (Feb. 26) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. Game time is set for 7:30 pm. FHSU enters at 21-5 overall, 12-5 in the MIAA, while the Bronchos enter at 17-7 overall and 11-6 in the MIAA.
Central Oklahoma enters the game on a six-game win streak. That has vaulted the Bronchos to just one game back of the Tigers in the standings with two games to play in the regular season. A win by FHSU on Wednesday would mathematically lock them into one of the four first-round byes for the MIAA Tournament next week, but UCO is looking to muddy the picture and tie the Tigers in the standings with one game remaining for both teams on Friday.
This week will also be key for the Tigers in their quest to make the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers were No. 6 in the first set of Central Region Rankings released last Wednesday. Eight teams from the region are selected to compete in the tournament and three automatic bids are given to conference tournament champions from the MIAA, NSIC and GAC. The Tigers need to play well down the stretch to hopefully solidify a spot in the tournament.
Craig Nicholson leads the Tigers at 17.6 points and 7.5 assists per game. He broke the FHSU single-season record for free-throws made in a season against Nebraska-Kearney, now at 178 and counting. He passed the old mark of 169 set by Mark Wilson in 1978-79. With 194 assists, Nicholson has passed his total from his freshman year and is now just 14 away from 400 in his career.
Dwayne Brunson is averaging 16.7 points and a team-best 7.7 rebounds per game.
Carson Konrade also averages double figures in scoring at 12.9 points per game and has 71 3-point field goals so far this year.
James Fleming, at 9.8 points per game, has reached double figures in scoring in eight of the last 11 games.
