MARYVILLE, Mo. – Fort Hays State ran into a 3-point shooting buzzsaw on Saturday (Jan. 23) at Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats hit 13 3-point field goals and never trailed on their way to a 77-55 win over Fort Hays State. The Tigers moved to 13-6 overall and 7-6 in the MIAA, while NWMSU maintained control of the conference standings now at 13-5 overall and 10-3 in the MIAA.
Zach Schneider had the hottest hand from 3-point range for the Bearcats, going 6-of-10 beyond the arc for all 18 of his points. Conner Crooker led the Bearcats with 19 points while also hitting three 3-point field goals in the game.
Fort Hays State pulled within two of Northwest Missouri three times in the early going, but could never tie or take a lead. Up 14-12, Northwest Missouri State went on a 12-2 run to take control of the game and never looked back. The Bearcats led by 12 at halftime, 36-24, and then by burying consecutive 3-point field goals to open the second half, extended their lead to 18. FHSU never pulled closer than 15 the rest of the way.
The Tigers shot under 40 percent from the field for only the third time this season, finishing at 36.5 percent. Rob Davis led the Tigers with 13 points, going 6-of-10 from the field. Craig Nicholson added 11 points. Nicholson moved to seventh on the all-time scoring list at FHSU, now with 1,292 points. He passed Barton Snow, who scored 1,291 in his career.Dom Samac led the rebounding effort with nine while adding eight points.
Fort Hays State has now suffered losses in its last four MIAA games on the road after winning its first two on the road in conference play. The Tigers get a week of rest before heading to Nebraska-Kearney on January 30.