By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Craig Nicholson scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Fort Hays State Tigers to a 99-92 double-overtime win over Emporia State at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers have now won nine straight and improve to 17-3 overall and 8-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets see their five-game win streak end and are now 14-7 and 7-4 in conference play.

It was the third overtime meeting between the two long-time rivals in the last four meetings with FHSU winning all three.

The Tigers played from behind much of the night and were down 10 with 12:51 to play but put together a 10-2 run to pull within two with 9:42 to play. A Nicholson three-point play put FHSU up one with 1:50 to play in regulation. He had a chance to give them the lead with 0:11 left but missed a free throw. The game went to overtime after the Hornets Kaleb Wright missed a 3-pointer.

Both teams scored 10 points in the first overtime.

Achoki Moikobi hit two big 3-pointers in the second overtime. He tied the game at 86 with 2:42 to play, then knocked one in with 1:41 left to give the Tigers the lead for good at 92-91. After a missed Hornet 3-pointer, Craig Nicholson converted on a three-point play to push the lead to four. Nicholson finished 13-of-16 from the free throw line including eight of nine in the two overtime periods.

Dwayne Brunson added 24 points and eight rebounds and Moikobi scored 15. Kaleb Wright dumped in 30 to lead the Hornets.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights