BY TRISTAN SASSE
For the second time this season, the Fort Hays State University men’s basketball team falls to the Washburn Ichabods. On Saturday, February 3, the Tigers were looking to redeem themselves after an early season loss to the Ichabods. Trailing for the majority of the game and the entire second half, FHSU would suffer a 76-60 defeat. It was only the second time the Tigers lost at home all season, moving to 11-2 inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. With the loss, Fort Hays has been on the losing end in four of its past five games.
Game Recap
The Tigers took a 5-2 lead, but Washburn responded with a 5-0 run. Neither team was able to pull ahead by more than three points in the early going. The first seven minutes featured three ties and three lead changes. Soon after, the Ichabods took control and answered with an 11-0 run. Washburn led 18-9 just over 10 minutes before halftime.
Moments later, the Ichabods extended their margin to 13. With 5:39 left in the half, Washburn’s lead grew to 29-13. In the closing minutes of the opening half, the Tigers closed the gap to three points with a 15-2 run, including a 10-0 spurt at one point. With just over two minutes until halftime, FHSU trailed 31-28. The Ichabods would head into halftime leading 36-31.
In the first half, the Tigers shot 42.9%, while the Ichabods were at 42.3%. Washburn had an 18-16 rebounding advantage and made seven more free throws than Fort Hays. Both teams finished the half with eight assists.
For FHSU, Brady Werth led the Tigers with 12 points off the bench. Jared Vitztum finished the half with five points and Aaron Nicholson had four points. Hadley Gillum led all players with five rebounds. On the other side, David Salach led all scorers with 13 first-half points. Will McKee added eight points and Tyas Martin had six points. Brady Skeens, Randall Smith, and Javion Blake had four rebounds each.
To start the second half, Washburn scored seven straight points to take a 43-31 lead. Fort Hays was able to cut the deficit to single-digits, but the Ichabods grew the lead back to 13. Washburn maintained a 53-42 lead at the 13-minute mark. With 10 minutes left in the game, FHSU trailed 57-44.
Shortly after, the Ichabods blew the game wide open with a 7-0 run, as they took a 68-49 advantage. The Tigers responded with a 5-0 run but was unable to pull much closer. Ultimately, Washburn escaped Gross Memorial Coliseum with a 76-60 victory.
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By the Numbers
On the afternoon, Fort Hays shot 41.5%, while the Ichabods finished at 46.8%. Additionally, Washburn out-rebounded the Tigers 34-27. The Ichabods also had 15 assists and led by as many as 19. Both teams finished with 12 turnovers.
For the Tigers, Werth finished with 16 points. Gillum ended with seven points and six rebounds, while Nicholson also had seven points. For the Ichabods, Martin had a game-high 18 points and five rebounds. Blake added 16 points and five rebounds, while Salach had 13 points. Skeens finished the afternoon with a double-double, with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Looking Ahead
On Thursday, FHSU (13-9 overall, 6-7 in MIAA) will head to Oklahoma to face the Northeastern State RiverHawks (7-15, 3-10) from Tahlequah. Additionally, Washburn (17-5, 11-2) will return home to take on the Missouri Western Griffons (4-16, 2-11) in Topeka.