Story by ELI BLANKINSHIP Photos by KATIE KUHLMAN Video by KYSON EVANS
Tiger Media Network
LAWRENCE, Ks. – With cool temperatures outside ushering in autumn weather, shooting the basketball inside historic Allen Fieldhouse proved to be just as chilly for the Fort Hays State University men’s basketball team on Tuesday. The Tigers managed just 35 points – the lowest exhibition total ever recorded from a KU opponent – in a 71-35 exhibition loss to the Jayhawks.
However, KU’s 71 points are the lowest total the Jayhawks have scored against FHSU across 14 contests.
Despite being outrebounded 57-25, FHSU’s interior looked solid with transfer JuJu Ramirez and returner Dan Mukuna holding down the paint against a KU team that had a considerable size advantage against the Tigers.
“Tonight gave us hope that our size [is] a factor,” said FHSU Head Coach Mark Johnson. “We made it hard on them at times to score, I thought there was only really four or five possessions during the entire game where [KU’s] size and strength just won out, and to come here knowing that happened maybe five times I think just shows you the size we have that’ll be much more productive in the MIAA than it was today.”
Muhamed Kante goes for the layup. 
Eli Lawson fights for possession of the ball with Kansas. 
Dan Mukuna tries to block Tre White’s shot. 
Jahvari Martino goes up for the jump shot. 
Blake Danitschek attempts to block Tre White’s shot. 
Lucas Hammeke dribbles down the court to create a play. 
Juju Ramirez fights to get possession of the ball.
Fort Hays State struggled to shoot the basketball effectively, going 16-61 for just 26.2% from the field, 1-19 for 5.3% from the perimeter, and 2-10 for 20% from the charity stripe.
“We couldn’t make a shot,” Johnson said. “When you come [to Allen Fieldhouse], that’s all you’re gonna get. [KU’s] players probably had a lot to do with our 1 of 19 and Allen Fieldhouse probably had a lot to do with our 2 of 10 from the foul line.”
Despite the lopsided score, the Tigers took care of the basketball, only turning the ball over 7 times while forcing 13 turnovers from the Jayhawks.
“I just think we had some bad ball-handling plays,” said Kansas Head Coach Bill Self. “I thought [FHSU] did a pretty good job of not turning it over even though we made them handle the ball.”
FHSU is entering the 2025-26 season with a number of new faces. In fact, half of FHSU’s 14-man roster is new to the team, including four freshmen.
“It’s been a learning experience,” said senior guard Lucas Hammeke. “Most of the time we’re pretty returner heavy, so practice has been a little different trying to get a lot of guys on board and learning to do what coach wants them to do.”
Of the new faces to be added to the team, Johnson said Ramirez – who transferred to FHSU from Saint Anselm College and is a Lawrence native – will be one to keep an eye on for FHSU this season.
“JuJu is going to be a good player at our level,” Johnson said. “[KU’s] guys are awfully big and athletic and I thought in the second half he showed some things that he can do.”
The Tigers were led by Mukuna and Hammeke who both scored 8 points. Mukuna also had 3 rebounds and 1 steal. Ramirez and Kyle Grill scored 7 points each.
Melvin Council Jr. scored 16 points to lead the Jayhawks, while Tre White and Bryson Tiller added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Fort Hays will open their season on November 15 for the 2025-26 MIAA/NSIC Challenge at Gross Memorial Coliseum.