BY TRISTAN SASSE
After being stunned in double overtime against the No. 9 Colorado Mines on Friday, the Fort Hays State University men’s basketball team took out their frustration against the Kansas Christian College Falcons. The Tigers led from start to finish and rolled to a 119-48 victory.
Game Recap
Fort Hays stormed out to an early 7-0 lead in just under two minutes to start the game. The high scoring FHSU attack took a 19-2 advantage with 14:08 left in the half. FHSU shot over 60% in the first six minutes, while the Falcons missed their first eight field goals and made their first basket with 13:20 remaining in the half. KeShawn Wilson contributed with seven early points off the bench for FHSU.
With 10:04 remaining in the half, the Tigers led 27-8, while holding the Falcons to 15.4% shooting from the field. The onslaught didn’t stop, as FHSU pulled ahead 36-10 with just over seven minutes left in the opening half. The Tigers led by as many as 35 in the first half and went into halftime ahead 61-26.
All twelve Tigers scored in the opening half. Fort Hays dominated all phases of the game in the first half, as the Tigers out-shot (57.9% to 28%) and out-rebounded (30-9) the Falcons. Additionally, FHSU made 7-of-15 three-point attempts, had 16 assists, 31 bench points, and 26 points in the paint. Fort Hays also took care of the ball with only three first-half turnovers.
The Tigers scored the first twelve points of the second half to take a 73-26 lead with 17:21 remaining. FHSU reached 80 points with 16:04 left. FHSU began the second half on a 29-3 run to take a 90-29 lead at the 11:55 mark. With 6:42 remaining, the Tigers hit the century mark. FHSU led by as many as 73 before cruising to a 119-48 victory.
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By the Numbers
Eight Tigers scored in double figures, led by Hadley Gillum with 14 points and nine rebounds. Payton Stephens added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Marcus Cooper, Trey O’Neil, and Calvin Harrington added 12 each. Wilson and Isaiah Nunnery both had 11 points, and Brady Werth rounded out those in double-digit scoring with 10.
On the night, FHSU shot 61.1% overall and 11-of-25 on three-point attempts. The Tigers out-rebounded the Falcons 49-21. Fort Hays also forced 20 turnovers, while limiting themselves to four (one in the second half). FHSU also had 30 assists, 11 steals, 39 points off turnovers, 62 points in the paint, and 67 bench points.
For Kansas Christian, Stephone Jackson was the lone Falcon in double digits with 10 points. As a team, KCC shot 26.1%
Looking Ahead
FHSU (3-2) will host the Sterling College Warriors (2-5) on Saturday, November 25 at 7:30 PM. KCC (2-3) will travel to Des Moines, Iowa to take on the Grand View University Vikings (2-2).