FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State looks to stay hot as the calendar turns over into 2016 when it hosts Pittsburg State today at 4 pm. Fort Hays State enters the game on a four-game win streak and has a record of 9-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA. Pittsburg State enters the game at 7-5 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State picked up a pair of big road wins at then No. 15 ranked Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist heading into the holiday break. The wins vaulted the Tigers to fifth place in the MIAA standings after a tough 0-2 start. The Tigers currently own the best overall record among MIAA schools.
Pittsburg State defeated FHSU in both meetings last year. The Gorillas went on to win the MIAA Tournament and grab an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament last year. The Gorillas enter this contest on a four-game losing streak after a 7-1 overall start to the season.
Dom Samac and Rob Davis have been providing plenty of offensive punch for FHSU so far. Samac has scored in double figures in all 11 games and averages 17.9 points per game. Davis is not far behind at 15.8 points per game. Samac has reached at least 20 points in a game five times this year while Davis has accomplished the feat three times. Davis had a season-high 29 points in Fort Hays State’s last win while Samac had a career-high 28 in Fort Hays State’s last conference game at home.
Jake Stoppel has also stepped up his offensive production, averaging 11.4 points per game. Stoppel had his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the 69-68 win over No. 15 Central Missouri in Warrensburg. His season high is 20 points and has reached double figures in each of the last four games.