By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
BOLIVAR, Mo. – Fort Hays State snapped its five-game losing streak in true road games dating back to last season with a 73-58 win at Southwest Baptist on Saturday (Jan. 5). The Tigers moved to 9-4 overall, 3-1 in the MIAA with the win, while the Bearcats dropped to 8-5 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State used a 10-2 run at the end of the first half to gain a nine-point lead at halftime, 36-27. A 25-11 run to open the second half pushed the Tiger lead to 23 by the 7:58 mark of the second half. The Tigers enjoyed their largest lead of the game twice, hitting the 24-point margin at the 5:45 and 4:37 marks. Southwest Baptist closed the game on a 12-3 run to pull the final margin back to 15.
The Tigers were solid shooting the ball throughout the day, hitting at exactly 50 percent from the field in both halves. FHSU poured in 11 3-point field goals in the game on 23 attempts, shooting just shy of 50 percent beyond the arc (47.8 percent). FHSU held SBU to 28.6 percent shooting in the second half and 35.2 percent overall.
The Tigers received a solid effort from its bench, scoring 30 points. Trey O’Neil and Devin Davis each contributed nine points, while Nyjee Wright had seven and Freddy Bitondo had five.
Brady Werth led the Tigers with his second double-double of the season, scoring 17 points and pulling down 13 rebounds to lead the team in both categories. Marcus Cooper also reached double figures with 10 points. Eight Tigers in total hit a 3-point field goal in the game. Aaron Nicholson had two just behind O’Neil’s three, while the six others contributed one each. Kyler Kinnamon led the way in assists with four.
Damian Prgomet led the Bearcats in both scoring and rebounding, dropping 24 points and pulling down seven boards. Chris Rossow also scored in double figures with 10 points.
Fort Hays State currently sits in a three-way tie for third place in the early MIAA standings. The Tigers return home to face Northeastern State (Thur., Jan. 10) and Central Oklahoma (Sat., Jan. 12) in MIAA play next week