{"id":35201,"date":"2017-11-16T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T16:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=35201"},"modified":"2017-11-16T08:32:26","modified_gmt":"2017-11-16T14:32:26","slug":"fhsu-mens-basketball-outlasts-central-christian-in-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=35201","title":{"rendered":"FHSU Men’s Basketball Outlasts Central Christian in Home Opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

STORY BY TRISTAN SASSE
\n<\/span>PHOTOS BY MARISSA CASTANOS<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, November 15, the Fort Hays State University Tiger men\u2019s basketball team (1-1) hosted the Central Christian College Tigers (3-1) in the 2017-18 home opener. Both teams were looking to rebound after their first losses of the season. Central Christian dropped a game last Saturday, while FHSU lost a 96-92 nail-biter to Sioux Falls in overtime in their last outing. In an even match from start to finish, Fort Hays was victorious with a 64-57 win.<\/span><\/p>\n

Game Recap <\/b><\/p>\n

FHSU took an early 11-4 lead in the first five minutes, including six points from Calvin Harrington off the bench. Central Christian followed with a 12-2 run and took a 16-13 lead with 9:15 remaining in the first half.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fort Hays relied heavily on free throws in the opening half to keep it close due to poor shooting. Nine of FHSU\u2019s 25 first-half points came from the free throw line as Fort Hays regained the lead going into the locker room at 25-23.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

FHSU began the second half on an 8-2 run to take a 33-25 lead. Central Christian followed with a 10-3 burst to come within one. With 10:25 remaining, the game was tied at 42. Minutes later, CCC took a 47-43 lead due to a 22-10 run. FHSU pulled within two with under eight minutes left, but Central Christian answered with a three.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a Marcus Cooper free throw with 5:40 left, the game was knotted at 54. FHSU took a 57-55 lead at the 4:35 mark with a three by Trey O\u2019Neil. Each team traded lay-ins, and Fort Hays maintained a three-point lead with 2:16 remaining after a Brady Werth free throw.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hadley Gillum hit a jumper with 54.9 left and FHSU led 62-57. On the ensuing possession, Kendric Warren missed a pair of free throws for Central Christian. O\u2019Neil made a pair of free throws for Fort Hays with 20 seconds remaining, as the Tigers took a 64-57 lead. CCC missed a pair of threes and Kyler Kinnamon dribbled out the clock for the 64-57 victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/b><\/p>\n

Overall, FHSU struggled from the field, shooting 29.6%. Central Christian was 19-of-54 for 35.2%. Additionally, Fort Hays had 17 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second-chance points.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half. FHSU shot 7-of-31 for 22.6%, while CCC was 8-of-25 for 32%. Fort Hays also had seven second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds in the first period.<\/p>\n

Calvin Harrington led all scorers with eight first-half points off the bench. Marcus Cooper added six points. For Central Christian, Jubril Osagie had seven points, while Cam Martin had six points and four rebounds.<\/p>\n

At games end, Werth led all scorers with 18 points and nine rebounds. Cooper added 17 points and eight rebounds, while O\u2019Neil finished out the double-digit scorers with 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leading Central Christian was Osagie with 17 points and five rebounds. Steve Kuminga contributed with 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/b><\/p>\n

Fort Hays (2-1) will look to start a winning streak when they travel to Golden, Colorado to face the Colorado Mines (2-0) on Friday, November 17. Central Christian (3-2) will also play on Friday and host Manhattan Christian College (2-3).<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n