By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State made just one field goal over the final eight minutes but hit 18 of their final 22 free throws to beat Emporia State 73-66 in front of 5,123 Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers have won two straight and three of their last four and improve to 15-8 overall and 8-6 in the MIAA. The Hornets have their two-game win streak come to an end and are now 11-12 and 4-10 in conference play.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

James Fleming Interview

 

Game Highlights

The Tigers started slow, hitting just one of their first seven shots and fell behind by 16. They closed the first half by connecting on 11 of their final 14 shots and pulled to within one on a Drew Kite stick-back and trailed by three at the half. They tied the game early in the second half then took the lead on a James Fleming 3-pointer. They would lead by as many as five then outscore ESU 12-5 over the final 3:11.

Dom Samac led the Tigers with his second straight 25-point game. Fleming adds 16 and Jeremy Wilson adds 12. The Hornets were led by Terrance Moore who scores 17.

The Tigers shoot 51-percent from the floor including 3-of-8 from 3-point range. The Tigers hit 29-of-39 free throws and outrebound the Hornets by eight. ESU shot 38-percent and were 7-for-26 from beyond the arc (3-14 in the second half).