By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
GOLDEN, Colo. – Fort Hays State fell for the first time in the 2019-20 season on Saturday (Nov. 16) in a 91-72 loss to No. 14/17 ranked Colorado School of Mines. The Tigers moved to 2-1 overall on the year, while the Orediggers hold the same overall mark.
Fort Hays State never took a lead in the game. The Tigers tied the game twice in the early going and were within two 14 minutes into the game. However, CSM closed the opening half on a 21-12 run in the final six minutes to take a 43-32 lead into halftime.
A 22-10 run by the Orediggers to open the second half pushed their lead to 23 with 13:23 remaining in the game, too much for the Tigers to overcome. The Tigers were never closer than 17 points the rest of the way as the Orediggers cruised to the 19-point victory.
Devin Davis led the Tiger scoring effort with 18 points, followed by 15 from Nyjee Wright, 12 from Jake Hutchings, and 11 from Perry Carroll. The Tigers continued their strong shooting at the free-throw line where they went 16-of-17 as a team.
A hot-shooting Oredigger squad that finished at 56.4 percent from the field for the game was too much for the Tigers. CSM buried 13 three-point field goals. Brendan Sullivan led the CSM scoring effort with 24 points, who was 5-of-5 beyond the three-point line. Michael Glen (18), Kobi Betts (12), Mason Baker (10), and Ben Boone (10) all reached double figures.
Rebounding was a big key in the game. Colorado School of Mines finished with 20 more than FHSU (37-17) and had a 12-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Limiting the Tigers to just one shot almost every time down the floor was a key to the result.
The Tigers look to bounce back as they head down the interstate to the south facing UC-Colorado Springs on Sunday at 4 pm CT / 3 pm MT.