By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Upper Iowa’s Jace Hanna hit four free throws in the final 10 seconds to hold Fort Hays State at bay as the Peacocks defeat the Tigers 86-83 in the season opener for both Friday at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Missouri. The win avenges FHSU’s 97-90 overtime win over UIU a year ago in Marshall. Minnesota.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Fort Hays State used 50-percent shooting in the first half in building a 40-37 halftime lead, but the Peacocks used a 9-0 run early in the second half to build an eight-point lead. Back-to-back Jared Tadlock baskets gave the Tigers a 66-65 lead with 8:49 to play. A Carson Parker layup gave Upper Iowa the lead for good with 2:39 to play.
Game Highlights

 

FHSU had a chance to tie with 0:14 to play, but Craig Nicholson missed the first of two free throws. His off-balance three at the horn came up short ending the Tigers hopes of forcing overtime.

Nicholson led all scoring with 24 points and seven assists. Dom Samac added 12 and Royce Williams 10. Both battled foul trouble throughout the game, playing a combined 38 minutes.

The Tigers shot only 35-percent in the second half and finish 42-percent for the game including 4-of-16 from 3-point range. FHSU did hit 23-of-26 free throws.

UIU shot 48-percent from the floor and was 9-for-23 from beyond the arc. They were led by Jimmy Roth who scored 18.