By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Tigers hit their first 29 free throws and finished 35-of-40 from the line in an 88-85 win over Lincoln Saturday at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers had to hold on down the stretch after building a 14 point lead in the second half and were up 13 with 1:37 to play before the Blue Tigers closed the game on a 9-2 run.

Craig Nicholson tied the school record with 19 made free throws and led FHSU with 27 points. Dwayne Brunson added 20 points and nine rebounds. Tomislav Gabric added a season-high 19.

The win was the 258th for head coach Mark Johnson who becomes the Tigers all-time winningest coach, surpassing the legendary Cade Suran.

The Tigers used an early 11-0 run to go up 11-2 and were up 13 with 7:04 to play in the first half but Lincoln responded with a 19-8 run to pull within two. The Tigers closed the half on an 11-2 run, nine of the points from Craig Nicholson, and led 48-37 at the break.

The Tigers shoot 54-percent from the floor but hit just 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. Lincoln shot 51-percent and 9-of-18 from three-point range.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Tomislav Gabric Postgame Interview

Game Highlights