Fort Hays State Men's Basketball faces a Top 25 ranked team for the second time this year at home when Missouri Southern comes to town on Thursday night (Feb. 28). Tipoff against the No. 25/23 ranked Lions is set for 7:30 pm at Gross Memorial Coliseum. FHSU enters at 16-10 overall, 10-7 in the MIAA, while MSSU carries a record of 22-5 overall, 13-4 in the MIAA.
 
Promotions
Game Sponsor: Redeem Designs
National Anthem: FHSU Pep Band
Student Section Theme: Throwback Thursday
- Retro Night t-shirt giveaway (First 250 fans receive throwback t-shirt)
- Throwback Concession Pricing ($1 Hot Dogs, Popcorn, and Small Drinks)
- Fans are encouraged to wear retro Tiger gear
- Youth Cheer Camp Performance

Missouri Southern moved up into the NABC Top 25 this week in the No. 25 spot. The Lions are on a five-game winning streak entering this contest, which includes a win over FHSU back on February 9 in Joplin by a score of 78-66. Missouri Southern is in third place in the MIAA standings, one game back of second-place Washburn. MSSU is mathematically clear of fourth-place FHSU in the standings, owning a three-game cushion with two games to play.
 
Fort Hays State looks for its first win over an NABC Top 25 ranked team at home since the 2011-12 season, when it defeated a No. 25 ranked Central Missouri team by a slim 67-66 margin. FHSU has dropped its last four games against NABC Top 25 ranked teams at home. The Tigers are also trying to end a four-game slide against NABC Top 25 teams overall, with their last win coming over a No. 15 ranked Southwest Minnesota State team on a neutral floor to begin the 2017-18 season. FHSU owns a 16-14 record overall against NABC Top 25 teams at Gross Memorial Coliseum in its NCAA Division II history.
 
Fort Hays State enters this week fourth in the MIAA standings. The Tigers are currently one game ahead of fifth-place Lincoln and two ahead of sixth-place Pittsburg State. The Tigers are looking to secure fourth place alone this week and can fall no further than than a tie for fifth in the standings.
 
Brady Werth is now within reach of 1,000 points in his career. He enters the week with 972 and averages a team-best 16.5 per game. He is looking to become the 21^st player in program history to reach the milestone. He is on a 17-game streak of reaching double figures in scoring. He has twice reached 27 points in a game this season.
 
Four Missouri Southern players average double figures in scoring for the season, led by Cam Martin who averages 21.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in the post.