FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State cruised to a 96-64 win over Central Christian (Kan.) College on Wednesday night (Nov. 18) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. The Tigers jumped out to a 50-30 lead by halftime and then outscored Central Christian by 12 in the second half. The Tigers moved to 3-0 with the win.
All 13 Tigers that played scored. The Tigers were led by 18-point efforts from Jake Stoppel and Dom Samac. It tied Stoppel’s career high in points. Stoppel was 8-of-11 from the field and 2-of-2 at the free-throw line while Samac was 4-of-6 from the field and 10-of-12 at the free-throw line. Samac nearly had a double-double with a team-high nine rebounds. Craig Nicholson added 15 points and a team-high five assists.
The Tigers shot over 60 percent from the field for the majority of the game but finally settled at 59.3 percent overall. FHSU went 27-of-38 at the free-throw line. The Tigers forced Central Christian into 23 turnovers and only committed nine turnovers. FHSU also won the battle on the boards, outrebounding by a 35-26 margin.
Michael Gholston led Central Christian in scoring with 16 points while Sam Clayborn had 14 and Alonzo Stafford and Ernest Burton each had 12.
The Tigers will receive another tough non-conference test on Tuesday (Nov. 24) when Newman University comes to Hays. Game time is set for 7:30 pm, following the women’s game also against Newman.