Fort Hays State and Washburn meet for the 158th time in history on Wednesday night (Feb. 18) in Hays. The rivals are set to tip off at 7:30 pm at Gross Memorial Coliseum. FHSU is looking to extend its narrow lead over Washburn in the MIAA standings. The Tigers enter at 15-9 overall, 8-7 in the MIAA, while the Ichabods are 13-14 overall, 8-8 in the MIAA.

This is a pivotal game for the Tigers, looking to eventually secure a first-round home game in the MIAA Tournament. There are four games remaining in the regular season, while Washburn only has three remaining. FHSU is currently just a half game ahead of WU in the MIAA standings for eighth. Seeds five through eight in the MIAA Tournament will host a first-round home game, while seeds nine through 12 have to go on the road in the opening round.

This game is not just vital for the Tigers in taking a one and a half-game lead on Washburn, but to keep pace with teams in fifth through seventh place. FHSU is just a game back of fifth place in the standings, currently occupied by Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Southern at 9-6. Central Oklahoma is seventh at 9-7. FHSU is still mathematically alive for a first-round bye in the MIAA Tournament, but likely needs to win out from here to chase down that position in the standings.

The Tigers lost to the Ichabods in the first meeting this season by a score of 69-58 in Topeka. Washburn has won seven of the last eight meetings in the series. The only win for FHSU in that run was last year in Hays by a score of 87-85 in overtime.

Dom Samac has asserted himself as an offensive force for FHSU, averaging 21 points per game over the last three games. Samac scored a career-high 25 points in each of the last two home games. Samac now leads active Tigers in scoring at 10.9 points per game. Joining Samac to average double figures in scoring this season are Achoki Moikobu (10.2) and Royce Williams (10.0).

James Fleming has also made his offensive presence known over the last three games, averaging 18 points per game in that span. He had a career-high 23 points three games ago in a home win over Nebraska-Kearney. He is averaging 9.4 points per contest.

Six seniors will be recognized prior to the game, playing in their final home regular season contest. The group includes Moikobu, Williams, and Fleming, along with Jared Tadlock, Nick Capiti, and Tomislav Gabric.