Story by GARRETT WELLBROCK Photos by ELI BLANKINSHIP
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State struggled to find its offensive footing Saturday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum, falling 61-49 to Central Missouri in an MIAA men’s basketball matchup that completed a regular-season sweep for the Mules.
Kyle Grill moments before the game. 
FHSU cheerleader leading the team onto the floor. 
Scout leader and scouts presenting the colors for the game. 
Victor E. Tiger reading a newspaper while UCM’s starters are being introduced. 
Lucas Hammeke makes a pass across the floor. 
Jahvari Martino and Blake Danitschek contest a shot. 
Blake Danitschek warming up for the second half of play. 
Jahvari Martino shooting a free throw. 
Trinell Parker dunking on FHSU. 
Mark Johnson coaching his players during a timeout. “[UCM’s] athleticism gave us much more problems than Washburn,” said head coach Johnson. 
Kyle Grill throwing up a hook shot near the basket. 
FHSU shaking hands at the conclusion of the contest.
The Tigers dropped to 15-6 overall and 7-5 in league play, while Central Missouri improved to 17-7 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA with the win over the Tigers, who had entered the week positioned among the league’s top teams.
The guard duo of Lucas Hammeke and Jahvari Martino led Fort Hays State with 11 points each; however, Hammeke said the Tigers never fully recovered from a cold shooting stretch that defined the first half.
“There wasn’t really a consistent feeling out there,” Hammeke said. “When a couple shots don’t fall, it kind of becomes contagious. We were getting looks, but nothing really felt smooth.”
Central Missouri took the lead for good at the 5:51 mark of the first half, then closed the period on an 8-0 run over the final 1:10 to build a 27-17 advantage at the break. Fort Hays State missed its final 14 shots of the half and only managed three free throws for the final 11 minutes of the period.
FHSU head coach Mark Johnson credited the Tigers’ defensive effort early but said the offensive struggles made it difficult to sustain momentum.
“Our first-half defense was good enough to keep us in it,” Johnson said. “But when you miss that many shots in a row, it puts a lot of pressure on everything else. Against a team as athletic as Central Missouri, you can’t afford that.”
Fort Hays State showed signs of life coming out of halftime. Martino went on a quick 5-0 burst to open the second half, and later the Tigers used a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 40-36, with 11:31 remaining.
Hammeke played a key role in that stretch, helping steady the offense and pushing the pace defensively as Fort Hays State tried to claw back.
“We picked it up on the defensive end and started getting some easier looks,” Hammeke said. “Once we locked in there, we gave ourselves a chance.”
The Tigers got within 4 points once more at the 4:07 mark, but a 3-point field goal by Jevon Hill halted the momentum. Central Missouri closed the game on a 7-0 run after Martino’s basket at 3:34 remaining.
Dan Mukuna added 10 points and a team-high 6 rebounds for Fort Hays State, while Martino and Muhamed Kante each dished out 3 assists. The Tigers shot 37.5 percent from the field and were outscored 19-9 in points off turnovers.
Trinell Parker led Central Missouri with 17 points, followed by Lazerek Houston with 16 and Hill with 11. Houston also had 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Despite the loss, Johnson emphasized resilience as the season enters a critical stretch.
“I personally think Central Missouri is a top-10 team in the country,” Johnson said. “The key is how we respond, stay positive, and prepare for what’s next.”
Fort Hays State will look to rebound on the road, beginning Thursday night at Northeastern State in Tahlequah before traveling to Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday, marking the first time FHSU will play the Lions on the road.
This story and photo gallery were completed for class credit in the Convergent Media Lab course within the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University
PHOTOS: Tiger women drop contest to Jennies
By RUBY DIAZ
#5 Brooke Loewe running for starting line up 
#22 Talexa Weeter (FHSU) and #20 Taylor Weishaar (UCM) for tip-off 
Tiger cheer running in with flags 
#1 Mikayla Pilley looking to pass ball 
ucm boxing out 
#5 brooke loewe making a layup 
Fhsu going up for a rebound 
#5 Brooke Loewe moving ball down court 
#5 Brooke Loewe looking for the ball 
FHSU cheerleader flying 
UCM member dribbling 
#34 Kaitlin Schumann shooting a free throw 
#34 Kaitlin Schumann going for a shot 
UCM getting a turnover 
#5 Brooke Loewe going for layup 
FHSU cheerleaders performing fight song 
#22 Talexa Weeter looking for the ball 
#5 Brooke Loewe going for a layup 
#20 Taylor Weishaar dribbling the ball 
FHSU dancer entertaining crowd 
FHSU cheerleader flying 
#22 Talexa Weeter going for a shot 
UCM boxing out on FHSU 
#4 Brittan Zeka looking for someone to pass to 
#22 Talexa Weeter looking for an opening 
#22 Talexa Weeter going for a shot 
FHSU Dance team at timeout 
Victor E. Charging the crowd 
cheer charging crowd