EDMOND, Okla. – Brady Werth scored 22 points, Jared Vitztum added 15 and hit a key 3-pointer with less than a minute to play to lift Fort Hays State to a 69-66 win over Central Oklahoma Thursday night at Hamilton Fieldhouse. Devin Davis came off the bench to add 13 as the Tigers (16-9, 10-6 MIAA) moved into sole possession of fourth place in the MIAA and clinched a spot in next month’s MIAA Tournament.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

FHSU, who played most of the game without Marcus Cooper who’s was sidelined wth an ankle injury, trailed by five at halftime and were down eight early in the second half before a 10-0 run capped by a Jared Vitztum three put them up 43-41. UCO (10-15, 3-13 MIAA) scored the next seven to go up five but a 7-0 FHSU run put them up 50-48.

The two teams would exchange baskets before a 7-0 run by the Tigers put them up 67-61 with 34 seconds to play.
After a couple of Brady Werth free throws pushed the lead to 69-63 with 28 seconds to play, the Bronchos got a three from Adarius Avery to pull within three.

The Tigers turned the ball over in the back court but Josh Holliday missed a wide open corner three. Avert had a chance to tie the game following a missed Kyler Kinnamon free throw but his 75-foot have at the horn bounced off the backboard.

Avery led all scoring with a career-high 36 points.