FHSU Sports Information Department
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Fort Hays State saw its six-game win streak snapped at the hands of Lindenwood on the road Thursday evening (Jan. 7). Lindenwood opened the game on an 11-0 run and never looked back, taking the game by a score of 68-49. FHSU moved to 11-3 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA.
Lindenwood (10-4, 6-2 MIAA) led by double figures from the 14:53 mark of the first half through the remainder of the game. A poor shooting effort by the Tigers early, coupled with a red-hot start from the Lions led to a blowout margin of 27 points at halftime. The Lions led 45-18 at the break.
The Tigers were able to outscore the Lions 31-23 in the second half, but it was too little, too late. Lindenwood was a red-hot 7-of-13 beyond the 3-point line in the first half but went 0-of-8 from deep in the second half. Cory Arentsen of Lindenwood had 20 points in the first half but scored only two after the break to lead all scorers with 22 points. Lindenwood shot 52.9 percent from the field in the first half, but just 33.3 in the second to finish at 45.5 for the game.
Entering the game as one of the nation’s top shooting teams, FHSU struggled to a season-low 34.5 percent from the field. FHSU shot just 21.4 percent beyond the 3-point line, hitting 3-of-14 attempts. Rob Davis and Dom Samac were the only Tigers in double figures with 17 points each. Jake Stoppel had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Tigers struggled on the interior with 7-foot, 1-inch center Stanislas Heili of Lindenwood, who finished with 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting and 15 rebounds. LJ McIntosh added 12 points for the Lions.
Fort Hays State looks to get back on track against a tremendously improved Lincoln University program on Saturday (Jan. 9). Lincoln enters in a fourth-place tie in the conference standings with FHSU, both at 5-3. Lincoln is 9-5 overall. Tip-off is set for 3:30 pm in Jefferson City, Mo.