BY FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Rogers State (20-5, 12-4 MIAA) at
Fort Hays State (12-12, 5-10 MIAA)
Thursday, February 20, 2020 – 7:30 pm
Hays, Kan. – Gross Memorial Coliseum
Game Sponsor: High Plains Farm Credit
Student Section Theme: Throwback Thursday
Promotions: Storm Cheer performance at halftime, FHSU Cheer/Tiger Deb performance at halftime,
FHSU Faculty/Staff Appreciation- All Faculty/Staff at FHSU receive (1) FREE (GA) ticket
It is coming down to crunch time in the 2019-20 basketball season for the Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball team with just two weeks remaining in regular season play. The Tigers continue their quest to finish within the top 10 of the MIAA standings and make the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City. A big hurdle sits in their way Thursday night (Feb. 20) when they play host to No. 23 ranked Rogers State at 7:30 pm. FHSU enters at 12-12 overall, 5-10 in the MIAA, while Rogers State is 20-5 overall, 12-4 in the MIAA.
The Tigers played well against the Hillcats for nearly 25 minutes earlier this year in Claremore, but went cold from the field and turned the ball over 10 times in the final 16 minutes, seeing a 7-point lead turn into a 10-point loss. It was the first-ever meeting between FHSU and Rogers State in men’s basketball, so this will be the first-ever trip for Rogers State to Gross Memorial Coliseum on Thursday night.
Fort Hays State enters the week tied for ninth in the MIAA standings with Pittsburg State at 5-10. Central Oklahoma and Central Missouri lurk only a half-game back in a tie for 11th at 5-11. Emporia State is only one game back in 12th at 4-11 in conference play.
Fort Hays State had a five-game win streak snapped at Lincoln this past Saturday, a three-point loss in overtime. Jared Vitztum had a career-high 24 points and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. He continues to lead the Tigers at 14 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
The Tigers have won their last four home games, a run that includes Kansas Wesleyan, Nebraska-Kearney, Newman, and Central Oklahoma. The Tigers are 4-0 at home against MIAA teams they play or have played twice in the regular season. They will be meeting Rogers State and Northeastern State for the second time this week.
Rogers State has four players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Marques Sumner at 13.7 per game. The four Hillcats that average at least 28 minutes per game all average at least nine points per game.