FHSU Sports Information Department
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Fort Hays State suffered a tough setback on Thursday evening (Jan. 21) when it fell 74-68 at Missouri Western. FHSU moved to 13-5 overall and 7-5 in the MIAA, while MWSU went to 6-12 overall and 4-8 in the MIAA.
Neither team saw a lead in double digits in a back-and-forth game as there were six ties and 11 lead changes. Free-throw shooting was a big key. Missouri Western was able to shoot 19 free-throws in the game compared to just five total for FHSU. The Griffons cashed in 16 of those 19 charity tosses, while the Tigers went 4-of-5, making a 12-point difference in free-throws alone.
The Griffons used the free-throw disparity along with hot 3-point shooting from two players to knock off the Tigers in the only meeting of the teams in the regular season. Xavier Newson, who did not average more than seven points per game entering the contest, went off for a career night of 25 points. Trey Sampson added 21 as both players hit four 3-pointers in the game, going 8-of-14 combined. Sampson was 9-of-9 at the free-throw line.
FHSU led by six early in the second half, but MWSU chipped away at the lead and then took the lead for good at the 12:16 mark of the second half. FHSU pulled within one late in the game twice, but the Griffons hit a big shot each time to hold off the Tigers.
Rob Davis continued his hot shooting, leading the Tigers with 15 points. He went 7-of-10 from the field. Craig Nicholson added 13, Dom Samac had 12, and Kenny Enoch had 10.
The Tigers take on the MIAA’s first place team, Northwest Missouri State, on Saturday in Maryville. Game time is set for 3:30 pm.