Story by GARRETT WELLBROCK Photos by ELI BLANKINSHIP
Tiger Media Network
Having just snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday, Fort Hays State needed all of regulation and 5 minutes of overtime on Saturday to escape against the MIAA’s last-place team, Newman. The Tigers (17-8, 9-7) erased a 15-point first-half deficit and outscored the Jets 17-9 in overtime to secure a 91-83 win.
“We knew they were capable,” Fort Hays State head coach Mark Johnson said. “(Cyrus) Shaw averages double figures and he showed it again tonight. He hit four 3s and made tough shots.”
Lucas Hammeke stretching out before the game. 
Eli Lawson shooting a jump shot during warmups. 
Kyle Grill shooting a three. 
Victor E. Tiger pouting during an official review. 
Juju Ramirez going to work in the paint. 
Kyle Grill shoots a jumper in the short corner. 
Kyle Grill contests Cyrus Shaw’s shot. 
Muhamed Kante drives on the base line. 
Dan Mukuna throws down a big slam. 
Dan Mukuna contests Thatcher McClure’s shot. 
Kyle Grill shoots a corner three 
Jordan Glenn-Hawkins drives on Lucas Hammeke 
Jahvari Martino dunks in transition. 
Jahvari Martino takes a corner three. 
Dan Mukuna attacks the hoop. 
Dan Mukuna shooting a free throw for a chance to win the game with his team onlooking, 
Jahvari Martino’s kicks of choice in the first half. 
Kyle Grill shoots a three. 
Head Coach Mark Johnson speaks to his players. 
Cyrus Shaw nails a three after being fouled. 
Head Coach Mark Johnson motivating his athletes before overtime. 
Dan Mukuna taking a free throw. 
Blake Danitschek celebrating after FHSU hits a big three. 
Dan Mukuna all smiles after their overtime victory.
Newman (5-20, 1-15) jumped out to a 29-14 lead in the first half behind Shaw, who finished with a game-high 30 points. But the Tigers responded with a 19-6 run to close within 35-33 at halftime.
“That stretch at the end of the first half was huge,” Johnson said. “To cut it from 14 or 15 down to 2, that set the tone that we were right there.”
The Tigers briefly built a 7-point lead midway through the second half before Newman answered with an 11-0 run to go back in front. The final minutes of regulation turned into a back-and-forth battle. Juju Ramirez scored on a put-back with 1:20 left to pull FHSU within 1, and Dan Mukuna tied the game at 74 with a free throw with 41 seconds remaining. Neither team scored again in regulation.
Kyle Grill said the Tigers never felt out of control, even when trailing big early.
“It’s such a fast-paced game, you can make runs quickly,” Grill said. “Panicking doesn’t help anything. We stayed calm and trusted what we do, especially at home.”
Overtime swung in Fort Hays State’s favor after a technical foul on Newman. The Tigers followed with a 9-0 run. Grill hit a 3-pointer to give FHSU the lead, Ramirez added a fast-break basket, and Grill knocked down another 3 to push the lead to 6. Newman never got closer than 4 the rest of the way.
“Shooters shoot,” Grill said. “We stepped up with confidence. In overtime, it actually felt comfortable because we trusted our free throws and our shots.”
Jahvari Martino led the Tigers with a career-high 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Mukuna recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Grill added 18 points with four 3-pointers, while Lucas Hammeke had 13 points and 4 assists. FHSU shot 53.7% from the field.
Johnson credited Martino’s two-way effort and the team’s ability to close.
“We had some self-inflicted mistakes, but we found a way,” Johnson said. “Late in games, it comes down to stops, rebounds and free throws. That’s what we did in overtime.”
The Tigers now head on the road for their final two regular-season road games at Missouri Southern on Thursday and Pittsburg State on Saturday.
“You’ve got to win on the road this time of year,” Johnson said. “We’re hoping to carry this momentum with us.”
This story was written for INF 349 Convergent Media Lab, a course within the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University.