STORY BY CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS
PHOTO BY ALLISON SCHWEIZER
Fort Hays State opened up MIAA Conference play Tuesday night against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. Brady Werth paced the Tigers with 27 points, as FHSU outlasted the Lopers 76-73.
“Brady only had two fouls and that the biggest thing, we go on to lose against Newman by one and he only played 17 minutes. If he plays 22 or 23 minutes we probably win the game,” said Mark Johnson, head coach of the Tigers. “He’s just too important to us, he has to stay out of foul trouble and that’s probably the best stat of the night.”
A combined 21 three-point attempts in the first half resulted in a relatively low scoring affair and poor shooting by both teams.
The Lopers opened up the game hot from beyond the arc, 3-3 in the first six minutes.
During the second media timeout, The Lopers were up 24-21 with 7:42 left.
Fort Hays State continued with their poor shooting, going 13-29 on the half (44.8%).
Brady Werth’s 15 point half kept the Tigers in control going into the second half. A crowd boosting block on the Lopers last possession of the first half transitioned into an empty scoring opportunity in the final seconds.
Lopers open up the second half with the ball:
Just like the first half, the Lopers were relying on three-pointers to stun the Tigers at home.
It was proven tonight that you live and die by three. Nebraska-Kearney still came up short on the road even though finishing 12-26 from beyond the arc (46.2%).
Devin Davis came off the bench for the Tigers and his 13 points came up big down the stretch. Davis played a total of 16 minutes and finished two for two from three.
“Devin’s high energy, whether it is good or bad. Sometimes it’s good for us and sometimes for the other team. He’s pretty active and him and Freddy played pretty well together down the stretch.” said Johnson
The Tigers drew up a few clutch three-pointers late in the 2nd, as Aaron Nicholson nailed one with two minutes in regulation left. Nicholson finished the game with 12 points.
The Lopers would regain possession with 26.7 seconds left, but a highly contested three-pointer came up short.
The Tigers wrapped things up with an offensive board that would lead to Marcus Cooper on the line (2-2FT).
Fort Hays State went on to win 76-73. The Tigers improve their home record to 5-0 and overall to 5-3 on the season.
The Tigers will be back in action at the Coliseum on Saturday against Emporia State. 4.P.M.
