Box Score Central Oklahoma jumped out to a 13-0 lead and Fort Hays State never recovered as the Tigers fell in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Central Oklahoma won by a score of 83-68. Fort Hays State is now 22-7 overall on the season.
 
The Bronchos came out with high intensity and built a 13-0 lead before a Craig Nicholson 3-point field goal broke the scoring drought for FHSU with 16:21 to go in the opening half. UCO was red hot from 3-point range early and extended its lead to 22 (35-13) at the 7:55 mark. Fort Hays State finally made a push late in the half and cut the lead down to 14 (46-32) by halftime.
 
The Tigers put together a 9-2 run to open the second half and trimmed the lead to seven at 48-41, but a pair of Josh Gibbs 3-point field goals extended the UCO lead back to 13 and the Bronchos led by double figures again until 12:30 remaining.
 
The Tigers cut the lead down to six with 8:51 remaining, but a 3-point miss by FHSU and then a pair of free-throws by UCO pushed the lead back to eight and the Tigers would not threaten the Bronchos again.
 
Fort Hays State shot just seven free-throws in the game, but was effective making six of the attempts. UCO had a huge advantage at the line, going 28-of-34. UCO went without hitting a field goal from the 15:01 mark to 41 seconds remaining in the game, but all 23 points it scored in that span were from the free-throw line.
 
Josh Gibbs led UCO with 34 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field, including four 3-point field goals, and a 16-of-17 effort at the free-throw line. The Bronchos had four other players in double figures as well.
 
Jake Stoppel led FHSU with 15 points, hitting six field goals and going 3-of-3 at the free-throw line. Dwayne Brunson added 12 and James Fleming had 11.
 
The Tigers will now have to await and see if their solid 22-7 overall record is good enough to get in the NCAA Tournament this year. The NCAA Selection Show is on Sunday at 9:30 pm on Sunday (Mar. 9) night. Here is the direct link….Selection Show.