EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State shot 64-percent in the first half and 52-percent for the game and beat No. 15 Southwest Minnesota State 85-66 in the MIAA/NSIC Challenge at White Auditorium. The Tigers outrebounded the Mustangs by 14 and outscored them 50-22 in the paint.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

After trailing early by five, FHSU used a 6-0 run to go up five. A 7-0 run late in the first half pushed their lead to seven. They then scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and led by as many as 25.

Peyton Stephens came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points to lead the Tigers. Marcus Copper added 14, Brady Werth 12, Aaron Nicholson 11 and Hadley Gillum 10 along with nine rebounds. Kyler Kinnamon dished out eight assists and had three steals.