HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State continues to win with strong defensive efforts, this time holding Nebraska-Kearney to just 12 first half points in a 64-46 win at Gross Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 11). The Tigers moved to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA win the win, while the Lopers fell to 3-5 overall and 0-3 in the MIAA.
 
Fort Hays State entered with the best scoring defense in NCAA Division II and will see that average go drop again after holding UNK to just 46 points. The Tigers entered the game allowing opponents just 54.3 points per game and lowered that average to 53.3 in the process. FHSU held UNK to just 23.8 percent shooting in the first half (5-of-21) and caused the Lopers to turn the ball over nine times. UNK entered the game shooting at a 49.9 percent clip for the season, which was best in the MIAA.
 
Fort Hays State built a 20-point lead by halftime, 32-12, with their strong defensive effort. The Tigers shot 43.3 percent from the field in the opening frame and outscored UNK 10-2 in points off turnovers. FHSU hit eight more field goals than UNK, including two more 3-point field goals, and were two makes better at the charity stripe to build the sizable lead.
 
The Tigers held UNK to just six points in both the first 10 minutes and second 10 minutes of the first half. FHSU built a 12-point lead out of the gate with a 16-4 run, then closed the half on a 9-0 run to lead by 20. The lead reached its largest point at 25 points (37-12) when the Tigers started the second half on a 5-0 run that completed a 14-0 run going back to the first half. The Lopers were never able to get any closer than 13 points in the second half.
 
The Lopers shot the ball much better in the second half, hitting 7-of-15 shots beyond the 3-point line and 11-of-25 shots overall in the half. However, they still allowed FHSU to shoot 52.4 percent from the field and hit 11 field goals. The only thing that gave UNK a two-point advantage in the second half was UNK making two more 3-point shots than FHSU. Both teams hit five free throws in the second half.
 
Jared Vitztum gave the Tigers another sound double-double performance of 20 points and 12 rebounds. Kaleb Hammeke led the Tigers with 21 points. Vitztum was 8-of-13 from the field and 3-of-4 at the free-throw line, while Hammeke was 7-of-14 from the field and 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. Hammeke led the way in assists with six, followed by Vitztum with five.
 
David Simental led the scoring effort for UNK with 15 points. He was the only Loper in double figures. Sean Murphy had six rebounds to lead UNK, while Darrian Nebeker had a team-best five assists.
 
The Tigers will put their unblemished record on the line once more on Friday (Dec. 17) when they host Central Oklahoma at 7:30 pm. The Bronchos will enter at 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA.