FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State looks to bounce back from a loss at Lindenwood when it takes on Lincoln University at 3:30 pm on Saturday (Jan. 9) in Jefferson City, Mo. Fort Hays State and Lincoln are both 5-3 in the MIAA, tied for fourth in the standings. FHSU is 11-3 overall and Lincoln is 9-5 overall.
Entering Thursday as one of the nation’s top shooting teams both overall and beyond the 3-point line, Fort Hays State has its worst offensive effort of the year at Lindenwood. The Tigers struggled to just 49 points in a 19-point loss, hitting only 34.5 percent from the field and 21.4 percent beyond the 3-point line. Dom Samac and Rob Davis each scored 17 points, combining for all but 15 of Fort Hays State’s points in the game.
Though the loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Tigers, they still own the best overall record in the MIAA at 11-3. The conference has been so tough top to bottom that 6-2 in conference play is currently good enough for first place, held by Lindenwood and Northwest Missouri State. Five teams sit right behind with three losses each.
The Tigers face a vastly improved Lincoln program on Saturday, which took its first loss at home this season on Thursday to Nebraska-Kearney. At 9-5 overall, the Blue Tigers have already surpassed their win total from the last two seasons combined (4 in 2014-15 and 3 in 2013-14), but one more could match their total from the past three years combined (only 3 wins in 2012-13). Lincoln is led by potent 1-2 guard punch in Anthony Virdure and Jaylon Smith. Virdure is averaging 23.7 points per game while Smith is averaging 19.6 per game. Lincoln already knocked off conference-leading Northwest Missouri State earlier this year at home.
Samac leads FHSU in scoring and rebounding at 17.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Davis is adding 16.1 points per game. Jake Stoppel is averaging 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Craig Nicholson is on the verge of moving to second on the all-time assist list at FHSU. With 554 in his career, he is now just two shy of Mark Wilson’s 556. Nicholson also moved to 10th on the all-time scoring list at FHSU with his five points at Lindenwood. He is just 18 points shy of Fred Campbell for ninth on the list.