Story by GARRETT WELLBROCK Photos by ELI BLANKINSHIP
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State leaned on defense, rebounding and late-game execution to secure its fifth straight win on Saturday, edging Central Oklahoma 58-53 to move into sole possession of second place in the MIAA.
The Tigers (15-4, 7-3 MIAA) held the Bronchos to just 36.4% shooting and controlled the glass 42-29 in a game that was tight from start to finish.
“We didn’t shoot it well early, but our defense kept us in it,” Fort Hays State head coach Mark Johnson said. “When shots aren’t falling, you have to rebound and defend, and I thought we did both at a really high level.”
Photos from FHSU vs Rogers State
Dan Mukuna drives to the basket. 
Dan Mukuna stands at half court during warmups. 
Kyle Grill dunks the ball during warmups. 
Kyle Grill and Lucas Hammeke standing for the national anthem. 
Caden Fry wins the tip over Dan Mukuna. 
Blake Danitschek goes up for the block on Caden Fry. 
An official stands with the ball on the baseline. 
Kyle Grill shoots a three pointer. 
Kyle Grill celebrates after scoring a big time three pointer. 
Eli Lawson shoots a free throw. 
FHSU Head Coach Mark Johnson speaking to his players during a timeout. Johnson said after the game “I’m proud of our guys. They played to the very end and found a way to win.” 
An FHSU player wears the pink KD 18 Aunt Pearls. 
Kyle Grill dips his shoulder into a defender. 
Jahvari Martino takes a deep straightaway three pointer. 
Dan Mukuna takes a hook shot over Caden Fry. 
Dan Mukuna stands at on the corner of the arc. 
Dan Mukuna takes a free throw. 
Jahvari Martino celebrates after their overtime win vs RSU. 
FHSU cheerleader Kaslin Wade pumps up the crowd at Gross Memorial Colosseum.
Senior guard Lucas Hammeke delivered one of the best all-around performances of his career, finishing with 9 points, a career-high 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and just 1 turnover.
“I wasn’t great offensively early, but I just tried to impact the game in other ways,” Hammeke said. “Defense and rebounding were huge for us, especially in the second half.”
Fort Hays State led for most of the first half, taking a 25-24 advantage into the halftime break after twice building an 8-point lead. The defensive struggle continued into the second half, with neither team topping double-figure scoring until nearly 10 minutes had elapsed.
Central Oklahoma (12-10, 5-5) briefly took the lead at 40-39 before a Kyle Grill 3-pointer from the left corner ignited an 11-0 Tigers run.
“That shot was big,” Johnson said. “Kyle and Dan (Mukuna) stepped up late, and that’s what good teams do — they find ways to close.”
Mukuna capped the run with a layup at the 1:44 mark to give Fort Hays State its largest lead of the game at 10 points. Mukuna finished with 18 points, while Grill added 15.
Hammeke said limiting Central Oklahoma’s inside scoring and defending conference scoring leader Matthew Willenborg were key factors.
“We had great post defense from Eli (Lawson) and Juju (Ramirez),” Hammeke said. “We knew what Willenborg could do, and I thought we made it tough on him all night.”
The Tigers sealed the win at the free-throw line, going 14-of-17, while holding off any late Bronchos push.
Josh Nwankwo led Central Oklahoma with 23 points. Willenborg recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Fort Hays State now turns its attention to a marquee matchup Thursday, when it hosts unbeaten and national No.1 Washburn.
“Ball security and defensive rebounding will be even more important,” Johnson said. “If we want to compete with the best, those details have to be sharp.”
The Tigers and Ichabods tip off at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Thursday from inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Story and photos submitted as part of the Convergent Media Lab course within the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University.