HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State moved to 6-3 overall on the season with a 78-59 win over William Jewell on Saturday (Dec. 13). The Tigers and Cardinals were tied at the half, but a 49-point second half helped the Tigers run away with the victory at home. William Jewell dropped to 3-6 overall for the season.
 
After FHSU jumped out to an early 5-point lead, the Cardinals were pesky throughout the first half and kept the game close. That five-point lead was the biggest for either team as there were 10 lead changes and six ties in the first half. A tip-in bucket by the Cardinals at the end of the half leveled the score 29-29. Kyle Scharbrough of William Jewell had the hot hand early with 17 points at the break, while Kyle Grill and Lucas Hammeke each had seven for FHSU.
 
The Tigers started to gain separation right out of halftime with a 9-0 run as Grill and Hammeke provided seven of the nine. The Cardinals got back within two twice, the latest at 13:34, but a 10-0 Tiger burst pushed the lead out to 12 with 11:20 to go. A few moments later, an 11-0 run took the lead to 21, capped on a fast-break dunk by Hammeke. That was the largest lead of the game for FHSU as it moved to 2-0 against William Jewell in the brief series history between the teams.
 
Grill finished with a season-high 22 points, while Hammeke added 15. Jahvari Martino chipped in 11 points. Seven Tigers scored at least seven points in the game. Muhamed Kante led in rebounds with six and tied Juju Ramirez for the high in assists, both with three.
 
Scharbrough finished with 25 points for the Cardinals, while Justice Sutton added 12.
 
FHSU is now 5-0 against teams it held inside of 60 points this season. The Tigers are 4-0 when scoring at least 70 points in a game.
 
FHSU goes to MSU Denver and Regis next week on December 18 and 20, which will wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule before jumping back into MIAA play at the turn of the new year.