By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State hit their first six shots in building an early nine-point lead then held off Northeastern State down the stretch for an 81-74 win at Gross Coliseum. It’s the Tigers second win over the RiverHawks in a week after a double-overtime victory in Tahlequah a week ago and they improve them to 15-10 overall and 8-8 in the MIAA. NSU has lost four straight and five of their last seven and fall to 7-18 and 3-13 in the MIAA.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Trey O’Neil Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers shot 57-percent in the first half and led by as many as 16 in the first half. They pushed that lead to 17 a couple of times in the first three minutes of the second half only to see Northeastern go on a 21-10 run to pull within four with 1:21 to play.

The Tigers went 8-for-12 at the free throw line in the final 1:50 to hold on for the win.

Hadley Gillum led four Tigers in double-figures with 20 points and seven rebounds. Trey O’Neil scored 17 with five assists and three steals. Brady Werth added 13 points and Marcus Cooper scored 12. Four of Cooper’s five made shots were dunks including an alley-oop from Kyler Kinnamon which pushed the lead to 15 early in the second half.

Jamir Andrews led the RiverHawks with 22 points.