By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – Hadley Gillum scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, redshirt-freshman Jared Vitztum added a career-high 15 and Fort Hays State shot 74-percent from the floor in the second half and 58-percent for the game in a 78-69 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday at Gross Coliseum.

Vitztum his all six of his field goal attempts including three 3-pointers to reach double-figures for the second time in three games. Brady Werth added 14 points and Marcus Cooper 11.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Jared Vitztum Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Fort Hays State defense set the tone in the first half, holding the Lopers (6-10, 2-5 MIAA) without a field goal for over nine minutes during a 15-1 run.

The Tigers (11-5, 4-3 MIAA) scored the first eight points of the second half and pushed their lead to 17.

UNK, who missed their first 14 three-point attempts, hit four of the final eight to pull within eight with 2:55 to play following a 15-6 run.

Trey O’Neil hit a layup and Hadley Gillum and Grant Holmes both a pair of free throws to hold the Lopers at bay.

Trey Lansman, who averaged over 30 points in his three prior games at Gross Coliseum, led the Lopers with 27 points and 10 rebounds.