By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

For the first time since joining the MIAA in 2006, the The Fort Hays State men’s basketball team will not play in the conference tournament in Kansas City. Washburn used a 13-1 second half run to build a 12-point lead and beat the Tigers 66-57 in their MIAA tournament first round game Monday night at Lee Arena in Topeka. The Tigers drop their final four games finish their season at 16-13. Washburn is now 16-15 and advances to the quarterfinals where they will play regular season champ Northwest Missouri State Friday at noon.

Mark Johnson

 

Game Highlights

Fort Hays State rallied from a 10-point first half deficit to pull within two at halftime. They would tie the game on a Jake Stoppel layup with 14:09 to play but managed just one point over the next 6:31 to fall behind by 12. They would never get any closer than seven the rest of the way.

Achoki Moikobu led the Tigers with a career-high 22 points. Jake Stoppel added 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Ichabods were led by seniors Alex North and Kyle Wiggins who score 18 and 13 respectively.

FHSU shoots 40-percent from the floor including 4-of-14 from 3-point range. They went 11-of-17 from the free throw line but were outrebounded by three. Washburn shoots 44-percent including 7-of-18 from beyond the arc. The Ichabods hit their first 16 free throws and finish 19-of-23 from the line. They also score 20 points off of 14 FHSU turnovers.