BY TRISTAN SASSE
To close out the 2017-18 regular season, the Fort Hays State University men’s basketball team improved to 14-2 at home with a dominant 70-52 victory over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. FHSU is currently seventh in the MIAA with a 10-9 record in the conference. The Tigers will host a MIAA Tournament game on Tuesday, February 27.
On Tuesday against the Bearcats, FHSU led for the entire game and by as many as 27 points at one point. The Tigers strolled out to an early lead and went into the locker room with a 42-23 lead. Fort Hays maintained a steady advantage throughout the second half and cruised to a 70-52 win.
FHSU shot 49.1% on the night, including 9-of-17 from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Bearcats shot 38%. The Tigers also had 18 assists and nine turnovers, while SBU finished with nine turnovers and seven assists. Fort Hays also won the rebounding battle 38-30.
Brady Werth led the Tigers with a game-high 19 points and eight rebounds. Marcus Cooper added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Hadley Gillum had 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in his last regular season game with FHSU.
For Southwest Baptist, Logan Hovey led the Bearcats with 13 points and four rebounds. Damian Prgomet added eight points, while Karim Mouliom had eight points and seven rebounds. SBU has clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament, but is currently the last qualifying team with a 6-12 conference record.