{"id":77492,"date":"2024-02-12T06:28:52","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T12:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=77492"},"modified":"2024-02-12T06:28:53","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T12:28:53","slug":"tiger-men-win-tough-matchup-against-bronchos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=77492","title":{"rendered":"Tiger men win tough matchup against Bronchos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By RAEGAN NEUFELD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday\u2019s game between Fort Hays State University and the University of Central Oklahoma was evenly matched with nine lead changes and six ties, but ultimately the Tigers had the edge and came out on top 66-62.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a close game early on before FHSU pulled ahead slightly, and a last-second jumper from senior Jaheim Holden before halftime put the Tigers up 28-21. The Bronchos kept it interesting in the second half and eventually tied the score at 48-48 with just 6:28 left in the game. The Tigers then went on a 7-0 run and stayed ahead for the remaining minutes. UCO did pull within three points twice, but FHSU always had an answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur guys showed toughness down the stretch and found a way,\u201d FHSU Head Coach Mark Johnson said. \u201cWe\u2019ve really been able to do that all year at home. Whether it be a big play on offense or a big play on defense, our guys have found a way to close games out at the end.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tigers (18-5, 13-4) beat the Bronchos (17-8, 9-8) previously this season in Edmond, OK, 67-60.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey wanted to beat us,\u201d senior Elijah Nnanabu said. \u201cWe just had to stay ready and play our game. That\u2019s what usually gets us over the hump.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the game at UCO, the Tigers held the MIAA leading scorer Jaden Wells to just five points. On Saturday, Wells finished with 26, including five 3-pointers. But, just two other Bronchos scored in double figures: Jayln Turner and Danquez Dawsey with 11 and 10 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s really nothing you can do with a player like (Wells), that type of caliber of a guy,\u201d Holden said. \u201cYou just try to maintain them as much as possible. He hit some tough shots tonight, and that happens when you play against good players.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had to make sure if he was doing what he was doing, we couldn\u2019t let anybody else get going,\u201d Nnanabu added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nnanabu led the Tigers in scoring with 18 points on 6-10 from the field and 5-6 from the free throw line. Holden finished with 11 off the bench, leading the charge for FHSU\u2019s 31 total bench points. Traejon Davis scored eight points, six of which came from two big 3-pointers. Bjarni Jonsson tied for a game-high seven rebounds while Kaleb Hammeke dished out a game-high five assists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two wins against UCO this season come after a previous five-game losing streak to the Bronchos. According to Johnson, hitting shots towards the end of the game has been one of the differences between a win and a loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been pretty good defensively all year,\u201d he said. \u201cWe feel like when we play good offense and make shots, there\u2019s not very many teams that can beat us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With five games left in the regular season, the Tigers are second in the MIAA standings. They travel next week to Missouri for two games and then finish the season at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve just got to control our own destiny and worry about what we can do,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a big road trip and have to find a way to go out and get some wins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the keys, according to Holden, will be execution and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust guys showing up each and every day, going hard and making each other better,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to need to be at our best when we go down this stretch and then going into the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FHSU will be back in Gross Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 to take on Pittsburg State.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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