HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State led wire-to-wire in a 71-59 season-opening win over Arkansas Tech on Saturday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers built an 11-point halftime lead and went on to win by 12. FHSU moved to 3-0 all-time against Arkansas Tech with the win, now with a win at home, on the road, and at a neutral site.
 
The Tigers took the lead with 19:10 remaining in the opening half and never looked back. They opened the game on an 11-0 run and then matched Arkansas Tech in points the remainder of the half to lead 34-23 at the break.
 
The lead grew as large as 15 points in the second half, but Arkansas Tech used a 9-0 run to cut the lead to just six with 13:07 to play. They whittled it down to four with 8:53 to go, but the Tigers used a 6-0 burst to get the lead back to double figures with seven minutes to play. From that point, they were not threatened again.
 
Bjarni Jonsson provided the Tigers a big start to the season with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. He was 7-of-14 from the field and made three free throws. Jared Vitztum, Quinten Rock, newcomer Geoff Hamperian all scored 11 each, while Nyjee Wright cashed in 10 and led the team with five assists. Vitztum was just one rebound shy of a double-double.
 
The difference in the game was the free-throw and 3-point line for FHSU. The Tigers made nine 3-point field goals compared to six for the Wonder Boys, and they made nine more free throws (12-3 advantage). Both teams shot adequate, FHSU at 43.1 percent and ATU at 41.7 percent.
 
The Tigers get back to action on Sunday for their second game of the MIAA/GAC Challenge. FHSU takes on Southwestern Oklahoma State at 3 pm. The Bulldogs lost their contest on Saturday with Emporia State by four points, which followed the FHSU game against Arkansas Tech.