By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The hopes of an MIAA Tournament bid for FHSU Men’s Basketball hang in the balance Saturday as they take on Newman University in Wichita, Kansas at 3:30 pm. The Tigers must win, but will also need help to get into the tournament. If FHSU can win its contest with Newman, it needs Central Missouri to defeat Pittsburg State in Pittsburg on Saturday to grab a spot in the MIAA Tournament. FHSU and Pittsburg State go into the final day of the regular season tied for 10th place in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State dropped a hard-fought contest at Central Oklahoma in overtime on Thursday night, forcing the win and need help situation on Saturday. FHSU tied the game with 17 seconds remaining to force the extra period, but a sluggish start to the overtime session left FHSU short of picking up a key road win.
Fort Hays State won the first meeting with Newman in Hays back on February 6 by seven points, 79-72. Nyjee Wright led the Tigers in that game with a career-high 26 points. Aaron Nicholson (15), Devin Davis (13) and Jared Vitztum (12) all reached double figures as well.
Newman currently sits in last place in the MIAA and eliminated from any MIAA Tournament contention, though Saturday will serve as its Senior Day at Fugate Gymnasium. Marshawn Blackmon nearly averages a double-double for the Jets at 17.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He had 21 points against the Tigers in Hays earlier this month.
All of the men’s contests in the MIAA on Saturday begin at 3:30 pm.