HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State used a big first half run to build a double-figure lead then held off Missouri Western’s second half comeback bid to beat the Griffons 84-74 in front of 2,415 Thursday night at Gross Coliseum to move into a second place tie with Pittsburg State in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State was held scoreless for the first 3:37 then went on a 26-2 run over the next seven and a half minutes to go up 19 and led by 13 at halftime.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Brady Werth Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

FHSU (13-5, 7-2 MIAA) was up 15 with 11:28 to play but the Griffons (8-11, 2-6 MIAA) outscored them 26-14 over the next nine minutes and pulled within three with 2:32 to play.

Kyler Kinnamon hit a three with the shot clock winding down on the Tigers next possession to push the lead to six. Marcus Cooper hit a driving layup with 43 seconds left to get it back to six. The Tigers then hit five of their eight free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win.

Brady Werth led four Tigers in double-figures with 21 points including 4-for-4 from three-point range. Marcus Cooper added 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Aaron Nicolson scored 13 and Kinnamon 10.

Lavon Hightower went 6-for-9 from beyond the arc and led the Griffons with a season-high 29 points.

The Tigers move to 9-0 at home this season. They host No. 2 Northwest Missouri State Saturday at 4pm.