STORY BY TRISTAN SASSE
PHOTOS BY MARISSA CASTANOS
On Wednesday, November 15, the Fort Hays State University Tiger men’s basketball team (1-1) hosted the Central Christian College Tigers (3-1) in the 2017-18 home opener. Both teams were looking to rebound after their first losses of the season. Central Christian dropped a game last Saturday, while FHSU lost a 96-92 nail-biter to Sioux Falls in overtime in their last outing. In an even match from start to finish, Fort Hays was victorious with a 64-57 win.
Game Recap
FHSU took an early 11-4 lead in the first five minutes, including six points from Calvin Harrington off the bench. Central Christian followed with a 12-2 run and took a 16-13 lead with 9:15 remaining in the first half.
Fort Hays relied heavily on free throws in the opening half to keep it close due to poor shooting. Nine of FHSU’s 25 first-half points came from the free throw line as Fort Hays regained the lead going into the locker room at 25-23.
FHSU began the second half on an 8-2 run to take a 33-25 lead. Central Christian followed with a 10-3 burst to come within one. With 10:25 remaining, the game was tied at 42. Minutes later, CCC took a 47-43 lead due to a 22-10 run. FHSU pulled within two with under eight minutes left, but Central Christian answered with a three.
After a Marcus Cooper free throw with 5:40 left, the game was knotted at 54. FHSU took a 57-55 lead at the 4:35 mark with a three by Trey O’Neil. Each team traded lay-ins, and Fort Hays maintained a three-point lead with 2:16 remaining after a Brady Werth free throw.
Hadley Gillum hit a jumper with 54.9 left and FHSU led 62-57. On the ensuing possession, Kendric Warren missed a pair of free throws for Central Christian. O’Neil made a pair of free throws for Fort Hays with 20 seconds remaining, as the Tigers took a 64-57 lead. CCC missed a pair of threes and Kyler Kinnamon dribbled out the clock for the 64-57 victory.
By the Numbers
Overall, FHSU struggled from the field, shooting 29.6%. Central Christian was 19-of-54 for 35.2%. Additionally, Fort Hays had 17 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second-chance points.
Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half. FHSU shot 7-of-31 for 22.6%, while CCC was 8-of-25 for 32%. Fort Hays also had seven second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds in the first period.
Calvin Harrington led all scorers with eight first-half points off the bench. Marcus Cooper added six points. For Central Christian, Jubril Osagie had seven points, while Cam Martin had six points and four rebounds.
At games end, Werth led all scorers with 18 points and nine rebounds. Cooper added 17 points and eight rebounds, while O’Neil finished out the double-digit scorers with 11.
Leading Central Christian was Osagie with 17 points and five rebounds. Steve Kuminga contributed with 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Looking Ahead
Fort Hays (2-1) will look to start a winning streak when they travel to Golden, Colorado to face the Colorado Mines (2-0) on Friday, November 17. Central Christian (3-2) will also play on Friday and host Manhattan Christian College (2-3).
