Fort Hays State opens a four-game homestand on Thursday night (Jan. 15) when it hosts Central Oklahoma at Gross Memorial Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm. The Tigers are looking to gain ground in the conference standings as UCO is currently in a three-way tie for first place. FHSU enters the game at 9-6 overall, 3-4 in the MIAA, while UCO enters at 12-4 overall, 5-2 in the MIAA.

The Tigers snapped a two-game losing skid with a 62-45 win at Lincoln University this past Saturday. The win helped FHSU move back within two games of the lead in the conference standings as they enter home and away play against the six other teams on the west side of the conference. UCO is also coming off a road win this past Saturday, defeating Southwest Baptist 73-61.

Fort Hays State and Central Oklahoma met three times last year. The Tigers won both regular season meetings, a four-point overtime win in Edmond and a one-point win at home. Central Oklahoma topped the Tigers in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City. UCO went on to compete in the championship of the MIAA Tournament, falling to Missouri Southern and just short of a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Craig Nicholson became the third player in FHSU history to reach the 500-assist mark in a career. The junior point guard now has 504, just 53 away from passing Mark Wilson for second all-time. A 2013-14 All-America selection, Nicholson also leads the Tigers in scoring at 14.9 points per game.

Dom Samac also averages double figures in scoring for the Tigers at 10 points per game. Achoki Moikobu is the top scorer off the bench for FHSU at 9.7 points per game, also leading the team in 3-point shooting at 50 percent (34-of-68).

The Tigers lead the MIAA in several categories. FHSU is first in assists per game (16.5), assist/turnover ratio (1.64), defensive rebound percentage (.760), rebounding margin (+5.7), and field goal percentage defense (.416). Individually, Nicholson leads the MIAA in assists per game (6.0). The Tigers are second in scoring defense (65.9 points per game), scoring margin (+13.4), and turnover margin (+3.5).

Central Oklahoma has the top scoring offense in the MIAA at 84.9 points per game, while the Tigers are third at 79.3 points per game.