Fort Hays State men’s basketball dropped to 0-2 to open the 2014-15 season with an 83-71 loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead on Saturday (Nov. 15) in Maryville, Mo. The Dragons shot 54.3 percent from the field and drained 11 3-point field goals on their way to a 2-0 start to the year.
MSU-Moorhead controlled the game throughout, taking the lead for good at the 17:45 mark of the first half. The Dragons pushed the lead to double figures at the 12:31 mark of the first half and never let the Tigers closer than seven points the remainder of the opening frame. MSU-Moorhead led 42-32 at the half.
FHSU cut the lead to single figures three times in the first 10 minutes, but the Dragons had an answer every time to push the lead back to double figures. Scoring went back-and-forth for the majority of the second half as the Tigers couldn’t find a run to put pressure on MSU-Moorhead.
Aaron Lien had the hot hand for MSU-Moorhead from the outside with 26 points, hitting 6-of-8 3-point field goal attempts. He finished 9-of-14 from the field and 2-of-3 at the free-throw line. Post player Isaac Sevlie had 16 points, going a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Jordan Riewer had 12 points, Ngijol Songolo had 11, and Urbane Bingham had 10.
Craig Nicholson and Royce Williams led the way for FHSU, each with 14 points. Nicholson had six assists and Williams added five. Jake Stoppel scored 13 points off the bench and Tomislav Gabric had 11. Jeremy Wilson led FHSU in rebounds with seven.
The Tigers will look to get on track in their home opener against Central Christian College on Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 7:30 pm.