Central Missouri (16-7, 7-4 MIAA) at
(RV) Fort Hays State (15-5, 7-4 MIAA)
Saturday, January 31 – 4 p.m.
Hays, Kan. – Gross Memorial Coliseum
 
Game Sponsor: American Family Insurance – The Brian Ruder Agency
National Anthem: FHSU cheerleader Myah Mattheyer / Presentation of colors by Hays Area Scouts
Promotions: Student-athlete academic recognition at both halftimes
 
Fort Hays State looks to bounce back from its tough overtime loss to No. 1 ranked Washburn on Saturday (Jan. 31) when it hosts Central Missouri. The Tigers enter at 15-5 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA, while the Mules are 16-7 overall, also 7-4 in the MIAA. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.
 
Fort Hays State looks to avenge a loss to Central Missouri earlier this year in Warrensburg. The game was tied with 10 minutes to go, but Central Missouri went on a 14-0 run to pull away and win on its home floor by a score of 64-50. The 50 points was the lowest scored in a game by the Tigers this season. Dan Mukuna led the Tigers with 20 points in the first meeting of the season.
 
Central Missouri is coming off a blowout win at Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday night. The Mules are averaging 83.1 points per game this season, but the 64 points they scored against FHSU earlier this season was their second lowest by just a point. They have been held inside of 70 points just three times this season.
 
Fort Hays State has won the last seven meetings with Central Missouri in Hays, which goes back to the 2015-16 season. The Tigers have held the Mules to less than 60 points in five of those seven wins. The Tigers and Mules went to double overtime last season in Hays, with FHSU pulling out a 70-67 victory.
 
The Tigers continue to lead NCAA Division II in 3-point field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents just a 25.1 percent success rate beyond the arc this season. FHSU is third nationally in scoring defense at 61 points allowed per game, while their overall field goal percentage defense (38.4 percent) ranks sixth nationally.
 
Mukuna continues to lead the Tigers at 18.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He had 19 points and nine rebounds in the game against Washburn on Thursday night. Kyle Grill adds 13.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while Jahvari Martino averages 11.5 points per game.
 
Lazarek Houston leads Central Missouri at 21.3 points per game and 5.2 assists per game. Jevon Hill (14.4), Kyran Tilley (13.2), and Trinell Parker (10.8) all average double figures in scoring as well. Hill led the Mules with 16 points in the meeting with the Tigers in Warrensburg earlier this year.