HAYS, Kan. – In an in-state rivalry matchup at Gross Coliseum, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State went down to the wire. In the end, the Tigers edged the Gorillas 77-74 to improve to 6-2 overall, 2-0 in the MIAA on opening week for the conference. The Gorillas dropped to 5-4 overall, while going 0-2 to start conference play for the 2017 season.
 
The Tigers only held possession of the lead for just over nine minutes, while the Gorillas capitalized with the advantage for 22 minutes. There were 11 ties in the contest with nine lead changes. The Tigers were able to stretch out their largest lead to just seven points late in the game at 74-67.
 
After two made free throws from Grant Lozoya, followed by a layup from Demetrius Levarity, FHSU had just a three-point lead with only 38 seconds left in regulation. With one made free throw from both Trey O'Neil and Kyler Kinnamon, the Tigers upped their advantage to 76-71. Lozoya was not ready to give in to FHSU as he nailed a three to cut the lead to 76-74. Calvin Harrington knocked down a free throw to push the lead back to three, but Pittsburg State's last-second 3-point attempt was off the mark and the Tigers survived 77-74.
 
Hadley Gillum and Brady Werth both posted double-doubles as Gillum had 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Werth accounted for 14 points and 11 rebounds. The two added two blocks each to their stat lines on the night. Kyler Kinnamon contributed 13 points for the Tigers. From the field, Fort Hays State earned a 41.9% shooting percentage, while going 33.3% (6-of-18) from long-range.
 
Xavier Adams led the scoring charge for the Gorillas with 20 points, while accounting for eight rebounds. Demetrius Levarity posted a double-double for PSU with 19 points and 13 rebounds, adding in two blocks. Pittsburg State bettered the Tigers in shooting as they recorded a percentage of 44.2%.

Fort Hays State is back in action with two road games next week, facing off against Washburn (Dec. 6) and Emporia State (Dec. 9).