EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State improved to 11-4 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA with a 73-70 win over Emporia State on Thursday evening at White Auditorium. The Tigers trailed by one at halftime, but maintained the lead after hitting the first basket of the second half. The Hornets fell to 4-10 overall and 0-5 in the MIAA.
 
The first half was tight as the biggest lead for either team was three points within the first 15 minutes. The Tigers went on a 9-0 burst to take an eight-point lead at 29-21, but the Hornets closed the half on an 11-2 run to get the lead back, 32-31 at halftime. The first half saw 12 lead changes and a pair of ties.
 
A Lucas Hammeke 3-point play to open the second half scoring put the Tigers in front for good. It started an 11-2 run by the Tigers, which took their lead back to eight. They pushed their lead into double digits by the 10:59 mark and led by 11 twice before having to hold off the pesky Hornets late. ESU came within two with five seconds to go, but they could not get off a 3-point look at the end of the game as the Tigers survived.
 
Dan Mukuna led the Tigers with a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 11-of-18 from the field and 5-of-7 at the free-throw line. He also tied Hammeke for a team-high three steals. Kyle Grill had 16 points and Jahvari Martino added 12. Hammeke led the Tigers in assists with four.
 
Chris Harris led the Hornets with 24 points, while Treyvon Taylor added 13 and Trey Redd had 11 and a team-best six assists.
 
The Tigers have won 10 of their last 12 games against Emporia State at White Auditorium. In the series overall, they have won five of the last six.
 
The Tigers will have a whole week off before returning to action on the road next week at Missouri Western (Jan. 15) and Northwest Missouri State (Jan. 17).