FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State snapped a two-game losing skid with an 84-74 win over Northeastern State on Thursday night (Jan. 14) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers moved to 12-4 overall and 6-4 in the MIAA with the win, while the RiverHawks moved to 4-10 overall and 3-7 in the MIAA.
The Tigers shot the ball well back in their home confines after two losses on the road last week. FHSU finished at 52.8 percent overall and 50 percent beyond the 3-point line in the 10-point win. The Tigers also shot very well from the free-throw line, burying 18-of-21 attempts.
The Tigers used a 17-7 run from the 13:57 to 8:39 marks of the first half to build an 11-point lead. After NSU trimmed the lead to seven, FHSU used an 8-0 burst to push its lead to 15 and eventually lead by 16 at halftime, 45-29. Rob Davis was on fire in the first half for the Tigers with 15 points hitting all six of his field goal attempts, which included three 3-point field goals.
Northeastern State opened the second half on an 8-0 run to trim the Tiger lead back down to eight, but FHSU countered with a 14-6 run to push the lead back to 16 at the 13:07 mark. The Tigers led by double figures the rest of the way, seeing the lead grow to 19 at one point but eventually coming back to 10 at the end of the game.
Dom Samac posted his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The 13 rebounds tied a career high. Davis went on to lead the Tigers in scoring with 24 points, finishing at 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-8 beyond the 3-point line. Trey O’Neil hit three 3-point field goals for all nine of his points.
Craig Nicholson passed two milestones in the game with 15 points and five assists. With his first assist of the game, he passed Mark Wilson for second on the all-time assist list at FHSU. He now has 561 in his career. With the 15 points, he also passed Fred Campbell for ninth on the all-time scoring list at FHSU. Nicholson now has 1,255 points in his career as a Tiger. Next on the scoring list is Rege Klitzke with 1,281 points.
The Tigers, now just a game back of first place in the MIAA standings, take on Central Oklahoma on Saturday (Jan. 16) in Hays. Game time is set for 4 pm.