By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball snapped its three-game losing skid by cruising to a 90-49 win over Kansas Wesleyan on Monday (Jan. 27). It was the final non-conference game of the season for FHSU, which now has nine conference games remaining in front of it in February. FHSU moved to 8-11 overall, while the game was an exhibition for Kansas Wesleyan.
The Tigers built a 23-point lead by halftime, 38-15, on a 51.9 percent shooting effort from the field in the first half. They bettered that in the second half at 55.2 percent and finished the game at 53.6 percent overall, their third-highest percentage shooting effort this season. The Tigers put the game way out of reach with an 18-0 run in the second half between the 10:35 and 6:10 marks to push a 23-point lead to 41, which turned out to be the eventual final margin. The largest lead for FHSU was 44 points with 2:59 remaining in the game.
Jared Vitztum led the way for FHSU with 19 points, while Devin Davis and Jake Hutchings tied him for the team high in rebounds, all with seven. Vitztum was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field, including a 3-of-3 effort beyond the 3-point line. His only miss of the night was at the free-throw line, where he went 2-of-3.
Vitztum joined four other Tigers in double figures scoring for the night. Calvin Harrington had 12, while Perry Carroll and Hutchings had 11 each. Alvin Thompson chipped in 10. Aaron Nicholson led in assists with five.
Miles Koehler was the only Coyote to reach double figures in scoring with 10 points, while Savian Edwards led in rebounds with seven. FHSU held Kansas Wesleyan to just 26.2 percent shooting overall, the lowest by an FHSU opponent this season.
Fort Hays State turns its focus to its rival from the north, Nebraska-Kearney, on Saturday (Feb. 1). Tipoff is at 4 pm inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, which follows the women’s contest at 2 pm.