The Fort Hays State Tigers embarked on a throwback weekend with a trip through the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The trip opened Saturday with a stop in Golden, Colorado against the 14th ranked Colorado School of Mines Orediggers.
The Tigers and Orediggers were tied twice to start he game at two and four points. Mines never trailed and pushed their advantage to 19-10 on the strength of a 9-2 run midway through the first half. Devin Davis converted on back-to-back three point plays to close the gap down to 19-16 with 8:07 remaining before halftime.
Fort Hays State got within two points at 22-20 with 6:00 remaining in the half on another Davis basket. The Orediggers then when on a 15-7 run that built the first double digit lead of the game at 37-27. Before the run concluded the Tigers got within four points at 31-27 and forced an Oredigger timeout. Fort Hays State through fouled on a made three pointer and Mason Baker converted the free throw for a four point play.
The Orediggers kept the Tigers at arms length for rest of the half entering the locker room with a 43-32 lead. FHSU opened the game shooting just 3-12 then closed the half 10-19.
Highlights
The Orediggers made nine of their first ten shots in the second half and opened the second twenty minutes on a 22-10 run. The lead at the end of the stretch swelled to 23 at 65-42 with 13:15 left in the game. The Tigers never were closer than 17 points rest of the way falling 91-72.
Mines shot 56% for the game and made 13-27 on three pointers. The Tigers did shoot 60% in the second half and 49% for the game. Devin Davis tied a career high with 18 points. Nyjee Wright added 15, Jake Hutchings 12 and Perry Caroll 11. Brendan Sullivan led the Orediggers with a career high 24 leading five players in double figures.
The Tigers went into the game averaging 45 rebounds per contest but grabbed just 17 in the loss.
Coach Mark Johnson
The Tigers fall to 2-1 on the year. #14 Colorado School of Mines improves to 2-1. FHSU will continue their Colorado RMAC weekend with a trip to Colorado Springs to take on UCCS Sunday at 3:00 Mountain Time.