PITTSBURG, Kan. – Fort Hays State saw its four-game win streak snapped on Saturday (Jan. 13) in a 74-62 loss at Pittsburg State. The Tigers are now 12-4 overall and 7-3 in MIAA play, while the Gorillas improved to 9-5 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA.
 
The Tigers held a three-point halftime lead, but the Gorillas found a way to get by on their home floor with little second half bursts. The Gorillas put the game away with a 10-0 run after the Tigers had a shot to take the lead miss with just under three minutes to play. The Gorillas' final burst to the 12-point victory was the only time either team reached a double-figure lead.
 
After the Tigers made the opening basket of the game, the Gorillas scored eight straight points to take a six-point lead early. However, the Tigers eventually moved back in front with a 7-0 run, capped on a 3-point play by Jaheim Holden to give the Tigers a 20-17 lead. After the Gorillas knotted the score at 20, FHSU went on a 10-2 burst to take a 30-22 lead with 3:22 to go before halftime, but they would not score again and PSU ended the half on a 5-0 run to get back within three at 30-27.
 
Pitt State continued its run to open the second half, scoring the first two baskets to cap a 9-0 run and take the lead back at 31-30. A Traejon Davis briefly gave the Tigers the lead back and then a Shaun Riley bucket made the game even at 34-34. The Gorillas moved ahead by four before the Tigers went on an 8-0 run to take a four-point lead of their own, fueled by four points each from Kyle Grill and Kaleb Hammeke. It started a larger 14-3 run for the Tigers that pushed their lead back out to seven with under 10 minutes to play.

Out of the second media break of the half, the Gorillas fought back immediately with a 6-0 burst to get back within one, then later used another 6-0 burst to take a one-point lead with 6:34 to play. The Tigers pulled even just one more time on a Grill free throw before yet another 6-0 run by the Gorillas to lead by six with 3:55 to play.
 
The Tigers were unable to seize their opportunity late when Riley hit a free throw, the Gorillas committed an offensive foul, and then Hammeke hit a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game with just over three minutes to go. The Tigers put on a full-court trap and Hammeke stole a pass near midcourt, but he had an open look at another 3-point shot and the Tigers fouled on the rebound. Pitt State hit the ensuing free throws, which triggered the start of their 10-0 run to end the game. The Tigers did not hit a shot inside the final three minutes of the game.
 
All four of Fort Hays State's losses this year have been when they surrendered 70 or more points in a game. The Gorillas shot a blistering 65.2 percent from the field in the second half, while FHSU hit just 35.5 percent of its field goals after halftime.
 
Hammeke finished with a team-high 14 points for the Tigers, while Kyle Grill and Jaheim Holden were right behind with 13 each. It was a new season/career high for Grill, his first game in double figures as a Tiger, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the field. Hammeke also led the Tigers in rebounds (8) and assists (3).
 
Deshaun English II led Pitt State with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds. Jeramy Shaw had 14 points and Tanner Mans added 12.
 
The Tigers remained in second place alone in the MIAA, just a half-game back of Northwest Missouri State (7-2) which also lost Saturday at Missouri Western. The conference race on the men's side is exciting with six teams between 7-2 and 6-4 in the standings. Fort Hays State is among four teams in that group with 11 or more wins overall this season.
 
FHSU preps for another road contest at Nebraska-Kearney next Saturday (Jan. 20). The Lopers are currently 5-10 overall and 2-8 in the MIAA.