By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
After nearly three weeks, Fort Hays State is back at home on Thursday night (Feb. 14) to host Lindenwood University in another key MIAA battle. Fort Hays State enters at 14-8 overall, 8-5 in the MIAA, while Lindenwood is 11-14 overall, 4-9 in the MIAA.
Promotions
Game Sponsor: American Family Insurance- Brian Ruder Agency
National Anthem: North Central Children’s Choir
Student Section Theme: Dress to Impress
Student Night: Prizes given out to students throughout both the men’s and women’s games
Giveaway: Valentine’s Day gift (while supplies last)
Halftime Performance: Styles Dance
This is a big game for both teams in the battle for MIAA Tournament positioning. Fort Hays State currently sits in fifth place in the MIAA standings, while Lindenwood is in a tie for 11th. The MIAA Tournament format changed this season. Only 10 of 14 teams in the conference will qualify, compared to 12 in the past. All 10 teams that qualify will go to Kansas City for the tournament.
Though they are technically still mathematically alive for first place, FHSU is now five games back of undefeated Northwest Missouri State. Only six games remain on the schedule for both teams, so the Tigers are nearing elimination from that possibility. However, second place is still a realistic possibility with the Tigers only two games back of Washburn for that position. The Tigers are currently two games clear of sixth-place Pittsburg State and seventh-place Northeastern State in the loss column.
Lindenwood has played its way into a situation of urgency with three weeks remaining in the regular season. Lindenwood and Emporia State are tied for 11th, but both are just one game back of a three-way tie for eighth between Central Missouri, Southwest Baptist, and Missouri Western.
Brady Werth enters the game Thursday on a 13-game streak of scoring in double figures. If he continues the streak, he will pass the 900-point mark for his career at FHSU. With 13 points in the road loss at Missouri Southern this past Saturday, Marcus Cooper reached double figures for the first time in four games. Prior to the home loss against Northwest Missouri, Cooper reached double figures in 10 consecutive games.
Kyler Kinnamon is nearing 400 career assists, now just five short of the mark. He looks to become the fourth player in the history of the program to reach that milestone.
Lindenwood enters the game on a five-game losing streak with its last win on January 24 against Central Oklahoma at home in overtime. Brad Newman is the top scorer for the Lions at 21.0 points per game. He had 26 points at Gross Memorial Coliseum last year in the MIAA Tournament Opening Round. Chandler Diekvoss adds 15.2 points per game.