SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Fort Hays State fell in its season opener to Southwest Minnesota State by a score of 84-60 on Saturday evening (Nov. 12). A close game throughout the first half, FHSU went cold shooting the ball in the second half while SMSU heated and ran away with the game.
 
The Tigers and Mustangs went back-and-forth in the first half with 12 lead changes and eight ties. SMSU found a bit of separation by the end of the half, leading by five at the break 39-34. The Tigers shot well in the first half at 53.6 percent, while holding the Mustangs to just 41.4 percent. The free-throw line was the difference for SMSU before the break, where it was 13-of-14 compared to just 3-of-5 for FHSU.
 
Fort Hays State closed within four points twice early in the second half, but a 10-0 run by SMSU from the 15:14 to 13:40 marks quickly changed the complexion of the game. The Tigers would never cut the lead back inside double digits as the Mustangs shot the ball well after the break and cruised to the final 24-point margin. SMSU shot 56.3 percent from the field in the second half, which included a 5-of-10 effort beyond the 3-point line.
 
Hadley Gillum had the hot hand for FHSU, finishing with 20 points. He was 9-of-12 from the field and 2-of-2 at the free-throw line. Rob Davis was the only other Tiger in double figures with 11 points. After a hot shooting first half, FHSU cooled to just 37.5 percent shooting in the second half. The Tigers struggled from 3-point range all night, going just 1-of-10 beyond the arc. FHSU finished at 46.2 percent shooting from the field for the game. Turnovers were also a sticking point for FHSU, committing 19 compared to just eight for SMSU.
 
The Tigers face host University of Sioux Falls on Sunday evening (Nov. 13) at 5 pm in their second game at the NSIC/MIAA Challenge.