{"id":43590,"date":"2019-02-08T07:51:03","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T13:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=43590"},"modified":"2019-02-08T07:51:22","modified_gmt":"2019-02-08T13:51:22","slug":"resilient-tigers-win-on-road-at-pitt-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=43590","title":{"rendered":"Resilient Tigers win on road at Pitt State"},"content":{"rendered":"

By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION<\/b><\/p>\n

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Fort Hays State made a late push to pick up a big road win on Thursday night (Feb. 7) at Pittsburg State. Aaron Nicholson<\/a> hit a driving layup with 4.8 seconds remaining to lift the Tigers to a 77-75 victory. Brady Werth<\/a> had a huge second half, scoring 17 of his team-high 25 points after the break. FHSU moved to 14-7 overall, 8-4 in the MIAA with the win, while PSU moved to 14-8 overall, 7-6 in the MIAA.<\/p>\n

The teams engaged in a tight battle early with neither team gaining more than five points of separation in the first 15 minutes. The Tigers used a 10-2 run from 7:35 to 3:43 on the clock in the first half to build an eight-point advantage of 33-25. However, the Tigers gave away their lead quick by turning the ball over three straight possessions that allowed the Gorillas to make a quick 7-0 burst and get back within one. A Werth jumper broke up the run to push the lead back to three, but an 8-0 burst by the Gorillas in the final 1:06 left FHSU trailing by five at the half, 40-35.<\/p>\n

Werth carried the Tigers early in the second half by putting on a clinic in the post, using an array of moves to score the first eight FHSU points after the break. An 8-3 run by Werth against the Gorillas tied the game 43-43 with 17:26 to play. Marcus Cooper<\/a> put the Tigers up by one, hitting one of two free throws at the 16:49 mark, but the Gorillas took the lead back with a three pointer 15 seconds later.<\/p>\n

From that point, the Tigers kept clawing and tied the game five more times before pushing past the Gorillas with 1:31 to go in the game with an old-fashioned three-point play from Werth. A Trey O’Neil<\/a> three-pointer just a minute earlier tied the game and Werth’s conversion gave the Tigers their first lead in more than 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

The Gorillas pulled back within one, but Nicholson drained a pair of key free throws just inside 30 seconds to play to push the lead back to three. It was big because Grant Lozoya, who had a game-high 27 points for the Gorillas, knotted the game with 15 seconds remaining on an off balance three-point shot over two Tiger defenders in the right corner.<\/p>\n

It came down to Nicholson, who collected himself near midcourt before taking off on a dribble drive to the basket. He had to hang in mid-air and make a slight adjustment with his body before releasing the game-winning shot with just over four ticks remaining on the clock. Lozoya’s last-second heave from way beyond the 3-point line was long and the Tigers came away with a hard-fought two-point win.<\/p>\n

Nicholson finished with 11 points, while O’Neil added 12 all on a 4-of-5 effort beyond the 3-point line. O’Neil also had a team-high six assists. Werth produced the fifth double-double of his career, adding 13 rebounds (ties his career high) to his 25 points. His 12 field goals made was a new career high.<\/p>\n

Demetrius Levarity had the hot hand early for Pitt State and finished with 19 points, while Trenton Clayton added 12 points and nine rebounds. Lozoya hit five three-point field goals and eight free-throw attempts in his 27-point performance.<\/p>\n

The Tigers remained in fifth in the MIAA standings and take on the team right in front of them Saturday, Missouri Southern, at 3:30 pm in Joplin. The Lions are 18-5 overall and 9-4 in the MIAA. FHSU is just one game back of second place in the conference standings, currently held by Washburn and Lincoln at 9-3.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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