Tigers Host MIAA/NSIC Challenge to Open 2015-16 Season in Hays

FHSU Sports Information Department

Fort Hays State will host three other schools for in the MIAA/NSIC Challenge to open the 2015-16 season this weekend (Nov. 14-15) in Hays. The Tigers, along with Emporia State, take on Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls from the NSIC.

Fort Hays State will play Southwest Minnesota State to open the season on Saturday at 7 pm. The Tigers then take on Sioux Falls on Sunday at 4 pm. Emporia State plays Sioux Falls at 5 pm on Saturday and Southwest Minnesota State at 2 pm on Sunday.

The Tigers are coming off a 16-13 record in 2014-15. FHSU returns three starters in seniors Craig Nicholson, Dom Samac, and Jake Stoppel. Nicholson led the team in scoring last year at 14.9 points when he suffered a season-ending injury 16 games into the season. He also led the MIAA in assists at that point, averaging 6.1 per game. Stoppel is the top returning rebounder after averaging 5.6 per game last year. Samac averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, earning All-MIAA Third Team honors. Nicholson still earned all-conference honorable mention honors even with the injury midway through the year. Nicholson was an All-America selection and All-MIAA First Team selection as a sophomore.

Fort Hays State was picked sixth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Tigers finished ninth in the conference last year. Southwest Minnesota State finished 12-17 overall and Sioux Falls finished 8-21 overall last year.

Below is the MIAA/NSIC Challenge schedule for Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday

Sunday