HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State pulled out a nailbiter on Saturday (Feb. 17) by a score of 57-55 over Central Oklahoma. With 28 seconds remaining, Trey O'Neil hit a three-point shot that turned a one-point deficit into a two-point lead. A late blocked shot by Hadley Gillum caused a crazy scramble for the ball and time expired allowing the Tigers to escape with the win.
 
Neither team ever saw a double figure lead in the game, the largest being nine points held by the Tigers twice. Both teams shot under 36 percent from the field in the first half and the Tigers led 26-22 at halftime.
 
The Tigers pushed their lead out to nine with 18:29 remaining in the game, but eventually the Bronchos went on a 10-2 run to take their first lead since the 8:53 mark of the first half, going up 39-37 with 11:31 to play. The teams traded baskets with FHSU tying the game four times before Brady Werth put the Tigers back on top 45-43 with 6:44 to go.
 
The lead continued to teeter back-and-forth until Josh Holliday hit a three-pointer with 55 seconds remaining to put UCO by one. However, O'Neil had the answer late by hitting a three-pointer from the right wing to send Gross Memorial Coliseum into a frenzy.
 
Central Oklahoma missed a layup with 10 seconds remaining and FHSU came down with the rebound. However, the Tigers were not in the bonus yet. UCO fouled O'Neil on the inbounds play, but O'Neil missed the front end of a 1-and-1, leaving UCO with a chance to tie or win the game. UCO tried to get a shot off in the lane with about three seconds remaining, but Hadley Gillum blocked the shot from behind. Several players scrambled for the loose ball on the floor, but time expired before anyone could gain control.
 
Gillum led the Tigers with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Brady Werth added 14 points and eight rebounds. Gillum is now just one point shy of 1,000 for his career at FHSU. Kyler Kinnamon had a team-high eight assists.
 
The Bronchos had three players tie for team high-point honors, Jake Hammond, Jordan Hemphill, and Josh Holliday all with nine points. FHSU held UCO to just 37.9 percent shooting for the game. FHSU finished at 41.5 percent.
 
The Tigers moved into a three-way tie for sixth place in the MIAA standings, now just one game back of fifth and two back of fourth with two games to play in the regular season. FHSU travels to Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Feb. 17).