FHSU Sports Information Department
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Fort Hays State competed hard to stay within striking distance of Kansas State all night, but it eventually fell by a score of 70-52 on Friday evening (Nov. 6). Kansas State opened the game on a 9-0 run and then held the Tigers at arm’s length the remainder of the night.
FHSU trimmed the lead to five twice, once early in the first half, and then at the 16:27 mark of the second half when Kansas State led 39-34. But the Wildcats went on an 8-0 run to get a comfortable lead of 13. FHSU cut the lead inside 10 for the last time at 10:15 in the second half, but an 11-1 K-State run put the game away.
Head coach Mark Johnson was pleased with Fort Hays State’s defensive effort of not allowing too many easy buckets, but he was hoping for a better shooting performance out of his squad. The Tigers shot just 34 percent from the field and 20 percent beyond the 3-point line. Kansas State shot 42.4 percent from the field, but just 27.3 percent beyond the arc. Kansas State outrebounded FHSU by just three, 38-35.
Craig Nicholson and Dom Samac led FHSU with nine points each while Hadley Gillum added seven. Jake Stoppel had a team-high six rebounds.
Wesley Iwundu led Kansas State with 17 points while Justin Edwards had 14 and Stephen Hurt had 13. Hurt led the Wildcats on the glass with seven rebounds.
The Tigers head to play the Kansas Jayhawks in exhibition action on Tuesday (Nov. 10) in Lawrence, Kan. Game time is set for 7 pm at Allen Fieldhouse.