FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State hits the road in conference play for the first time this season as it travels to Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist to close out the December portion of its schedule. The No. 1 ranked Tigers enter the road swing at 9-0 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA. Game time at Central Missouri on Thursday (Dec. 17) is 5:30 pm, and then tipoff on Saturday at Southwest Baptist is at 1:30 pm.
Fort Hays State is coming off an 82-75 overtime win in Hays against Nebraska-Kearney in order to hold its No. 1 ranking nationally for a second straight week. FHSU moved to No. 1 in the WBCA Division II Poll for the first time in school history on December 8 after knocking off a No. 1 ranked Emporia State team on December 5. FHSU has been in the top 10 of all five polls released so far this season (preseason included).
The Tigers won the last two meetings with Central Missouri (regular season and MIAA Tournament), which occurred last year, but are looking to snap a three-game losing skid to the Jennies in Warrensburg, Mo. The Tigers are looking for their first win in Warrensburg since 2009-10. Central Missouri enters Thursday’s contest at 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA. The 2-6 overall mark is deceiving as four of the losses have been to teams currently inside the top 25 of the WBCA Poll and one has been to a team receiving votes. FHSU is the third top 10 team Central Missouri is facing so far this season.
On Saturday, FHSU faces a Southwest Baptist team that currently sits at 5-4 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA. This is the only game of the week for Southwest Baptist, which enters on a three game losing streak. FHSU has won the last five meetings with SBU.