FHSU Athletics

No. 23 Fort Hays State drew with No. 12 Northeastern State, 1-1, on Friday evening in the NCAA Championship, but advanced with a 3-2 penalty kick advantage in a shootout.

The Tigers (11-5-4) advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Championships on Sunday, Nov. 23, where they will face off with No. 5 Quincy at 2 p.m. from DeLoache Field.

Michael Cole got the scoring started for FHSU in the 50th minute, breaking away from the Northeastern State defense before rifling a shot from the upper left corner of the box.  Cole’s attempt cleared the keeper and found net, giving FHSU a 1-0 lead.

In the 63rd, however, NSU answered.  After a free kick was awarded the RiverHawks, a long cross into the box found Paul Samia, who fired at the net before his shot was deflected by FHSU goalkeeper Kent Freund. The deflection fell into the control of Crosby Lee, who finished on a rebound to the low post.

After 110 minutes of play left the game tied, the teams headed to a shootout where Anthony Hernandez, Maurizio Costa and Diego Cabral hit penalty kicks for the Tigers.

NSU’s first two attempts in the shootout went wide left, and though Tanner Brock’s first attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Jackson Biles, Hernandez’s attempt was good – giving FHSU a 1-0 advantage.  The RiverHawks tied the shootout in the next round, 1-1, after Jordan Schmoker hit on his attempt (and Biles again came up with a save on Mauricio Castorino’s turn) before grabbing a 2-1 advantage on Juan Peralta’s goal.

Costa answered Peralta with a make of his own, setting up the fifth round of PK’s, tied 2-2. Kent Freund made his mark in the shootout on Ricardo Palomino’s shot, diving to his left to stop Palomino’s shot and giving FHSU a chance to clinch – which Cabral did, putting it past the keeper for the 3-2 shootout victory.

Freund had four saves on the day, playing all 120 minutes while helping the Tigers advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

Cole and Castorino led the team with two shots for the day, as Cole had FHSU’s only shot on goal.

Fort Hays State and Northeastern State remained even in the series history, moving the overall record to 3-3-5 in 11 matches between the teams in the last four years.

Quincy reached the Elite Eight with a 3-0 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the first game of Friday’s action.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State men’s basketball coach Mark Johnson announced the signing of Kyler Kinnamon of McPherson, Kan., for the 2015-16 season. Kinnamon joins three other Kansas high school recruits that signed with the Tigers in the early signing period.

Kinnamon is currently a senior at McPherson High School. The 5-foot, 10-inch guard was named to the Topeka Capital Journal All-State Team, tabbed as one of the top five players in the state of Kansas for the 2013-14 season as a junior. He averaged 15.5 points, 5.9 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game, helping McPherson to the Kansas Class 4A Division I State Championship as a junior. He is a two-time all-state first team selection in Class 4A. He holds the top two single-season assist marks at McPherson High School, a school with a very rich basketball tradition.

Four very talented high school players have now signed with the Tigers in the early period. Kinnamon joins Trey O’Neil of Scott Community High School, Brady Werth of Hays High School, and Aaron Nicholson of Derby High School as early signees.

“We are very excited to have Kyler sign with our program,” said head coach Mark Johnson. “He is a tough and intelligent player that has a great feel for the game, while also excelling in the classroom. Just like our other three early signees, Kyler comes from a family of high character and all four of these student-athletes will represent our program well both on and off the floor.”

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State scored the games first 13 points then added a 13-5 run late in the first half in building a 22-point lead and go on for an 84-42 win over Central Christian College Wednesday night at Gross Coliseum. The victory snaps the Tigers five-game losing streak dating back to last season and improves them to 1-2 on the season.

The Tigers scored the first 18 points of the second half, holding CCC without a field goal for the first 10:19.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Jeremy Wilson Postgame Interview

Jeremy Wilson led four Tigers in double-figures with 16 points. Dom Samac and Craig Nicholson both add 12 and Drew Kite 10. Nicholson did record an assist for the first time in his career. Jake Stoppel led the Tigers with 12 rebounds.

Game Highlights

FHSU shoots 47-percent despite hitting just 3-of-18 beyond the arc. CCC was held to 19-percent shooting.

The Tigers are back at home Saturday at 4pm against Bethel College.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State set a new school record for points in a game as they blow out McPherson College 120-39 in their home opener Wednesday night at Gross Coliseum. The Lady Tigers surpass the 116 points scored against Stephens College on November 15, 2014. The victory improves FHSU to 2-1 while teh Bulldogs fall to 1-7.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

The Lady Tigers opened the game on an 11-0 run then used a 28-2 run to push the lead to 41 in the first half. They would score 27 straight during the second half in building a big lead of 83 points.

Kate Lehman led the Tigers with 30 points, 22 of which came in the first half. The Newton senior was 11-of-12 from the from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. She also added a game-high eight rebounds. Jill Faxon scored 15, Beth Bohuslavsky and Payton Hoeme both add 11 and Sarah Pimentel 10.

Game Highlights

FHSU shoots 59-percent from the floor and hit 10-of-18 three point attempts and were 30-of-37 from the free throw line.

The Tigers are back at home Saturday afternoon against Cameron University at 2pm.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Volleyball had two players named All-MIAA for the 2014 season, announced Wednesday (Nov. 19) by the conference office.  Rightside Hitter Mallory Flagor was picked as All-MIAA Second Team by the coaches, while Libero Keanu Bradley picked up an honorable mention nod.

Flagor led the Tigers with 348 kills on the season, starting 27 matches and playing in 29 for the team.  A junior, Flagor averaged a career-high 3.16 kills per set in the 2014 campaign, shattering her previous total kills high for a single-season by over 100 (she had 243 in 2013).  Among outside hitters, Flagor was the Tigers’ leader with a .245 hitting percentage.  On the defensive side of the net, the Hoisington, Kan. native had 69 blocks for the season (five solo), averaging 0.63 blocks per set.  For the season, Flagor had double-digit kills in 21 matches, including a string of 13 straight with over 10 kills in the first month of the season.  Her career-high in kills came on Sept. 5 against Southeastern Oklahoma State. This is the second career All-MIAA honor for Flagor, as she was honorable mention in 2013.

Bradley played in all 31 matches for FHSU at Libero, leading the team with 611 digs on the year – which ranks fifth all-time in the school’s rally scoring era.  Additionally, the sophomore’s average of 5.36 digs per set is the sixth highest digs per set average in school history (fourth highest with rally scoring).  From Rose Hill, Kan., Bradley was an anchor in the back row for FHSU, digging up double-digit attacks in all but four matches and reaching the 20-kill mark in 13 matches.  Three times this season, Bradley had over 30 digs, including a career-high 35 digs against Central Missouri in a four-set match. She also led the team with 14 service aces for the year.  This was her first career All-MIAA nod.

The complete 2014 All-MIAA Team is below…

Player of the Year: Barbara Jackson, Central Oklahoma
Freshman of the Year: LaRose Currie, OH, Nebraska-Kearney
Coach of the Year: Edgar Miraku, Central Oklahoma

First Team
Outside Hitter: Carly Sojka, Central Missouri^
Outside Hitter: Barbara Jackson, Central Oklahoma^
Outside Hitter: Marissa Cox, Washburn
Outside Hitter: Erica Rottinghaus, Missouri Western
Outside Hitter: Carly Spicer, Emporia State
Outside Hitter: Leanna Willer, Washburn
Outside Hitter: Jessie Thorup, Missouri Western
Middle Blocker: Haley Thompson, Central Missouri
Middle Blocker: Sarah Vicory, Washburn
Middle Blocker: Madison Mosier, Pittsburg State
Setter: Jordan Chohon, Missouri Western
Setter: Erin Seele, Nebraska-Kearney
Setter: Katy Davis, Central Oklahoma
Libero: Annie Reilly, Central Missouri^
Libero: Liz McGowan, Nebraska-Kearney
One extra player due to tie in the voting
^=Unanimous selection

Second Team
Outside Hitter: Katie Politte, Missouri Southern
Outside Hitter: LaRose Currie, Nebraska-Kearney
Outside Hitter: Mallory Flagor, Fort Hays State
Outside Hitter: Kelle Carver, Nebraska-Kearney
Outside Hitter: Miranda Foster, Northwest Missouri
Middle Blocker: Juliette Smith, Central Oklahoma
Middle Blocker: Courtney Haring, Emporia State
Middle Blocker: Callie Whetstone, Missouri Southern
Middle Blocker: Bailey Sokolowski, Nebraska-Kearney
Middle Blocker: Allison Barr, Central Oklahoma
Setter: Kourtney Thompson, Central Missouri
Setter: Natalie Bates, Washburn
Libero: Whitney Gifford, Central Oklahoma
Libero: Sarah Faubel, Missouri Western

Honorable Mention
Central Missouri: Shelby Winkelman, OH; Becca Blaise, OH; Maddie Jones, MB.
Central Oklahoma: Sabetha Young, OH; Bonnie Vernon, OH.
Emporia State: Katie Deutschmann, OH; Josie Williams, OH; Shayla Cotman, MB; Kimberly Bell, S; Sydney Hartman, S.
Fort Hays State: Keanu Bradley, L.
Lindenwood: Shannon Doyle, OH; Kayla Guyot, MB.
Missouri Western: Kelsey Olion, OH; Amanda Boender, MB.
Nebraska-Kearney: Tara Zieglebein, MB.
Northwest Missouri:  Jackie Becker, MB; Sarah Dannettell, S; Bailey Vance, L.
Pittsburg State: Ary Crittleton, OH; Haylee Gregory, OH; Paula Okruntna, MB; Hayley Hansford, S; Ashlen Schwartz, L.
Southwest Baptist: Taryn Marton, OH; Kalyn Sotomayor, MB; Hannah Blount, L.
Washburn: Alyssa Carney, L.

MIAA Media Relations

Fort Hays State’s Jon Inman is this week’s MIAA Wrestler of the Week. Inman (184) extended his unbeaten streak to start the year, and is now 8-0 with two tournament titles for the year.

Inman was efficient at last weeks Northern Colorado Open, picking up a fall over CSU-Pueblos Anthony Ball in 1:47 before taking down two Division I opponents in the semifinals and finals. His semifinal win was a 10-4 decision over Trent Noon (Northern Colorado). He took the 184 pound title with a 10-3 decision over Dylan Gabel (Northern Colorado).

The sophomore is a native of Branson, Mo. where he competed at Branson High School.

MIAA Media Relations

Kansas City, Mo. – MIAA co-champions Northwest Missouri and Pittsburg State each placed eight members of the All-MIAA first team as the squads were released today.

The first team is led by MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Year Pittsburg State quarterback Anthony Abenoja. He will line-up behind an offensive line with unanimous selections Cole Manhart of Nebraska-Kearney, Tyler Smith of Pittsburg State and C.J. Keeney of Northwest Missouri. Also along the front line are Missouri Western’s Travis Anderson, Central Missouri’s Brian Berzanski and Northwest Missouri’s Shane Smith.

In the back field are first team running backs LaVance Taylor of Central Missouri and Raphael Spencer of Missouri Western. They are joined by Northwest Missouri tight end/fullback Marcus Wright.

Three receivers will split out wide on the first team in Pittsburg State’s Marquise Cushon and Gavin Lutman as well as Fort Hays State’s Ed Williams. Handling the kicking duties will be MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year Connor Frazell. Returning the kicks is Vershon Moore of Washburn.

The MIAA Freshman of the Year also comes from the offensive side of the ball as Central Oklahoma’s Chas Stallard earns the honor.

The defense will be led by MIAA Defensive Player of the Year Matt Longacre for the second straight season after he won the award last year. Joining him on the line is teammate Brandon Yost, Central Missouri’s Ramond Hunter and Pittsburg State’s Heath Wilson.

At linebacker the defense features Northwest Missouri’s Eric Reimer and D.J. Gnader as well as Lindenwood’s Connor Harris. The defense is deep in the backfield as Fort Hays State’s Micheal Jordan and Missouri Western’s Michael Jordan’s both anchor the back. They are joined by Jared Fox of Northwest Missouri and De’Vante Bausby and Keeston Terry of Pittsburg State.

Doing the punting on the first team will be Missouri Western’s Scott Groner.

Pittsburg State’s Tim Beck was named the Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 10-1 finish and an MIAA Championship.

MIAA Offensive Player of the Year – Anthony Abenoja, QB, Pittsburg State
MIAA Defensive Player of the Year – Matt Longacre, DL, Northwest Missouri
MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year – Connor Frazell, K, Pittsburg State
MIAA Freshmen of the Year – Chas Stallard, QB, Central Oklahoma^
MIAA Coach of the Year – Tim Beck, Pittsburg State
First Team (Offense)
QB – Anthony Abenoja, Pittsburg State
RB – LaVance Taylor, Central Missouri
RB – Raphael Spencer, Missouri Western
WR – Marquise Cushon, Pittsburg State
WR – Ed Williams, Fort Hays State  
WR – Gavin Lutman, Pittsburg State
TE/FB – Marcus Wright, Northwest Missouri
OL – Brian Berzanski, Central Missouri
OL – Travis Anderson, Missouri Western
OL – Cole Manhart, Nebraska-Kearney^
OL – C.J. Keeney, Northwest Missouri^
OL – Shane Smith, Northwest Missouri
OL – Tyler Smith, Pittsburg State^
K – Connor Frazell, Pittsburg State
KR/PR –Vershon Moore, Washburn

First Team (Defense)
DL – Ramond Hunter, Central Missouri
DL – Matt Longacre, Northwest Missouri^
DL – Brandon Yost, Northwest Missouri
DL – Heath Wilson, Pittsburg State
LB – Eric Reimer, Northwest Missouri
LB – Connor Harris, Lindenwood
LB – D.J. Gnader, Northwest Missouri
DB – Micheal Jordan, Fort Hays State
DB – Michael Jordan, Missouri Western
DB – Jared Fox, Northwest Missouri
DB – De’Vante Bausby, Pittsburg State
DB – Keeston Terry, Pittsburg State
P – Scott Groner, Missouri Western
^=Unanimous selection

Second Team (Offense)
QB – Brady Bolles, Northwest Missouri
RB – Vershon Moore, Washburn
RB – Jake Gandara, Central Oklahoma
WR – Austin Willis, Emporia State
WR – Kavaski Ervin, Emporia State
TE/FB – Cullen Rosine, Central Missouri
OL – Matt Erbert, Fort Hays State
OL – Pete Trausch, Nebraska-Kearney
OL – Cole Chevalier, Northwest Missouri
OL – Ollie Venegas, Pittsburg State
OL – Michael Miller, Washburn
K – John Schmiemeier, Missouri Western
KR/PR – TyQuan Hayes, Missouri Southern

Second Team (Defense)
DL – Kenny Allen, Central Oklahoma
DL – Te’I Joita, Fort Hays State
DL – Arbanas Elliot, Missouri Western
DL – Deaven Jensen, Pittsburg State
DL – Kevin Arnold, Northwest Missouri
LB – Ricky Spratley, Central Missouri
LB – Stephen Juergens, Missouri Western
LB – Spencer Brown, Pittsburg State
DB – Connor Smith, Central Missouri
DB – Matt Pruitt, Central Oklahoma
DB – Nathan Lindsey, Fort Hays State
DB – Travis Manning, Northwest Missouri
DB – Calvin Kenney, Washburn
P – Kyle Goodburn, Northwest Missouri

Third Team (Offense)
QB – Hayden Hawk, Central Missouri
RB – Romero Cotton, Nebraska-Kearney
RB – Giresse Forchu, Missouri Southern
WR – Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma
WR – Jaron Alexander, Lindenwood
TE/FB – Kyle Swartz, Pittsburg State
OL – Tycie Linneman, Central Missouri
OL – Brandon Waggoner, Central Oklahoma
OL – Aaron Blount, Emporia State
OL – Jarrett Stastny, Emporia State
OL – Austin Wolfe, Missouri Southern
K – Will Mondragon, Central Missouri
KR/PR – LaVance Taylor, Central Missouri

Third Team (Defense)
DL – Jason Venckus, Central Missouri
DL – Matt Bowman, Nebraska-Kearney
DL – Collin Bevins, Northwest Missouri
DL – Taye Irvin, Pittsburg State
LB – Tyke Kozeal, Nebraska-Kearney
LB – Chass Claspie, Central Oklahoma
LB – Justin McPhail, Fort Hays State
DB – Deveon Dinwiddie, Emporia State
DB – Johnquavious McBride, Missouri Southern
DB – Meshack Kennedy, Missouri Western
DB – Chandler Barr, Northeastern State
DB – Bryce Enyard, Northwest Missouri
DB – Aries Herrion, Pittsburg State
P – Aaron Hummert, Washburn

Honorable Mention
QB – Chas Stallard, Central Oklahoma; Mitch Buhler, Washburn.
RB – Edward Smith, Fort Hays State; Lavorrie Johnson, Lindenwood; Shannon Saunders, Missouri Southern.
WR – Kyle Echols, Central Missouri; Christian Hood, Central Oklahoma; Greg Coble, Lindenwood; Allen Sampson, Nebraska-Kearney; Cougar Williams, Nebraska-Kearney; Garrett Powell, Northeastern State; Jason Jozaites, Northwest Missouri; Korey Jackson, Northwest Missouri; Bryce Young, Northwest Missouri; Austin Daniel, Pittsburg State; DaJuan Beard, Washburn.
TE/FB – Sean Gorman, Central Missouri; Reese Richards, Emporia State; Alek Ferbet, Missouri Western; Kyle Matheson, Northeastern State.
OL – Landon Chappell, Central Oklahoma; Danny Goodman, Emporia State; Jacob Heneisen, Lindenwood; Caleb Benner, Missouri Southern; Leonard Wester, Missouri Western; Christian Orduno, Missouri Western; Jonathan Brown, Northeastern State; Bo Farrow, Pittsburg State; Dylan Ready, Washburn.
DL – Russ Allen, Central Missouri; Deontay Wilson, Central Oklahoma; Tyler Newton, Central Oklahoma; Nick Schutte, Emporia State; Eddie Vinson, Emporia State; Jesse Trent, Fort Hays State; Tomasi Molesi, Fort Hays State; Chaz Fulton, Lindenwood; Skyler Suggs, Lindenwood; Jack Wardyn, Nebraska-Kearney; Kenley Choute, Northeastern State; Cass Weitl, Northwest Missouri; Zach Williams, Northwest Missouri; Avery Adair, Pittsburg State; Tyler Ewy, Washburn; Trey Parker, Washburn.
LB – Alex Perlin, Central Missouri; Lyndel Johnson, Emporia State; Alex Schmidtberger, Fort Hays State; Yomi Alli, Missouri Western; Deshawn Dinwiddie, Emporia State; Malcolm Howard, Central Oklahoma; Jason Tetuan, Emporia State; Brock Long, Fort Hays State; Dalvin Taylor, Missouri Southern; Cody Linday, Missouri Western; Kenneth Davis, Northeastern State; Brock Sherman, Northwest Missouri; Tyler Disney, Pittsburg State; Colby Hall, Pittsburg State.
DB – Zach Leinbaugh, Central Missouri; Diaron Rhodes, Central Missouri; Cody Jones, Central Oklahoma; Levonte Douglas, Central Oklahoma; Daniel Lindsey, Fort Hays State; Roderick Ryles, Lindenwood; Jeremy Morris, Lindenwood; Gaige Washington, Missouri Southern; Sam Brown, Missouri Western; Marc Harrison, Missouri Western; Steffon Herd, Northeastern State; George Brown, Nebraska-Kearney; Shai Harris, Nebraska-Kearney; Famous McKinnon, Nebraska-Kearney; Deron Washington, Pittsburg State; Dwayne Joseph, Washburn.
K – Seth Hiddink, Central Oklahoma; Brock Renken, Missouri Southern.
P – Kyle Jaski, Missouri Southern.
KR/PR – Lyndel Johnson, Emporia State; Lavorrie Johnson, Lindenwood.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State rallied late but came up two points short of a Top 10 upset, falling to No. 10 Concordia-St. Paul, 70-68, on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Radisson Hotel Roseville Classic in St. Paul, Minn.

A physical game that saw a combined 53 fouls called, the Tigers (1-1) lost the rebounding battle, 44-34 and were undone by CU’s 46.8 percent field goal percentage.  FHSU shot 32.3 percent from the field and were much improved from the free throw line, hitting 20-of-29 (69 percent).

FHSU’s largest lead of the night came early in the first (17:17) after a jumper from Keriann Shaw made it 3-0.  The Golden Bears answered to tie it at 5-all before climbing to an 8-5 lead.  A three-pointer from Chelsea Mason stopped a 5-0 burst for CU and set in motion back-and-forth play that brought the game near the six-minute mark with FHSU trailing, 23-21.  At that point, CU pulled away on a 9-3 run to take a 32-24 lead.

A three-pointer from Mason stopped the spurt, and two free throws by the Golden Bears sent the game to the break with FHSU trailing, 34-27.

Out of the pause, a three-pointer from CU’s Amanda Barton gave the Golden Bears their largest lead of the night (10), 37-27, but Bohuslavsky answered with a jumper of her own at 18:47 to start the Tigers climb back into contention. Over the next 6:40 of game time, FHSU doubled up CU in scoring (14-7) to cut the deficit to one, eventually taking the lead on a jumper from Nikola Kacperska (47-46) at 10:11.

FHSU stayed close over the next five minutes of action, when Shaw’s free throw at 5:36 gave FHSU its final lead of the night (54-53), as CU answered on free throws from Lauren Shiflett less than 30 seconds later to start an 8-2 run for the Golden Bears, during which six points came from Anika Whiting.  CU soon stretched that lead to eight (65-57) with 2:17 to play in the game, but the Tigers would not go quietly.

Free throws from Kate Lehman brought the game to 67-61, the pressing defense of Beth Bohuslavsky yielded a steal and two free throws for FHSU – shrinking the deficit to four with 1:16 on the clock.  The Tigers forced another turnover less than 10 seconds later – this time coming on a steal for Shaw, but three missed field goals on the ensuing possession (which lasted over 30 seconds) proved fatal for FHSU.

After a foul, CU’s Ameshia Kearney made just one of two free throws with 21 seconds to go, Bohuslavsky raced down the court to hit a layup (68-65) with 15 seconds to go, but Mishayla Jones’ free throws on the other end put CU back up by five (70-65). As time expired, Bohuslavsky found the net on a three-pointer, sending the game to final at 70-68.

FHSU forced 23 turnovers and scored 15 points off turnovers in the game, totaling nine steals as a team.

Bohuslavsky led the Tigers with 16 points on the evening, adding two assits with two steals while playing a team-high 32 minutes. Chelsea Mason (13 points) and Kacperska (10 points) were the other Tigers to hit double-digits, as each added two assists.  Kacperska’s three steals was tied for the team-lead with Shaw, who had six points and four rebounds.

Lehman fell just short of a double-double in her second consecutive game – scoring nine points with 10 rebounds in the loss (after scoring 24 points with nine rebounds on Friday evening). She was voted to the All-Tournament Team for her performance on the weekend, joining Lizzy Jeronimus (Pittsburg State), Kylie Gafford (Pittsburg State), Mishayla Jones (CU) and Whiting (voted most valuable player) on the honor roll.

Fort Hays State hosts McPherson College this week for its home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 19.  Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays States scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions racing out to a 28-3 halftime lead and defeat Central Missouri 45-17 Saturday on a cold day at Walton Stadium Warrensburg, Missouri. Quarterback Treveon Albert threw scoring strike to Garrison Hendricks and Ed Williams and Quinten Darby added a pair of short TD runs helping the Tigers take control early.

The victory is the Tigers seventh of the season (7-4), giving them their first seven-win campaign since 1996. It is also their first win over the Mules (7-4) since joining the MIAA in 2006, snapping and eight-game losing streak. FHSU finishes in a fourth place tie in the MIAA standings, their highest finish ever.

Chris Brown Postgame Interview

The Mules moved to ball deep into Tiger territory on the first possession of the third quarter but fullback Sean Gorman fumbled which was recovered by linebacker Brock Long at the one yard line.

Central’s first touchdown came on a blocked punt midway through the third quarter, but FHSU responded with a seven-play which resulted in a 33 yard Drew O’Brien field goal.

Game Highlights

Ed Williams hauled in a 19-yard TD pass and Ed Smith an eight yard TD run for the final margin.

The Tigers finish with 384 yards of total offense, 289 on the ground. Ed Smith led the Tigers rushing attack with 144 yards on 12 carries. Kenneth Iheme added 114 yards on 29 carries.

Treveon Albert  completed nine of 17 passes for 95 yards and three touchdowns.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State men’s basketball dropped to 0-2 to open the 2014-15 season with an 83-71 loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead on Saturday (Nov. 15) in Maryville, Mo. The Dragons shot 54.3 percent from the field and drained 11 3-point field goals on their way to a 2-0 start to the year.

Coach Johnson’s Post game Interview

MSU-Moorhead controlled the game throughout, taking the lead for good at the 17:45 mark of the first half. The Dragons pushed the lead to double figures at the 12:31 mark of the first half and never let the Tigers closer than seven points the remainder of the opening frame. MSU-Moorhead led 42-32 at the half.

Game Highlights

FHSU cut the lead to single figures three times in the first 10 minutes, but the Dragons had an answer every time to push the lead back to double figures. Scoring went back-and-forth for the majority of the second half as the Tigers couldn’t find a run to put pressure on MSU-Moorhead.

Aaron Lien had the hot hand for MSU-Moorhead from the outside with 26 points, hitting 6-of-8 3-point field goal attempts. He finished 9-of-14 from the field and 2-of-3 at the free-throw line. Post player Isaac Sevlie had 16 points, going a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Jordan Riewer had 12 points, Ngijol Songolo had 11, and Urbane Bingham had 10.

Craig Nicholson and Royce Williams led the way for FHSU, each with 14 points. Nicholson had six assists and Williams added five. Jake Stoppel scored 13 points off the bench and Tomislav Gabric had 11. Jeremy Wilson led FHSU in rebounds with seven.

The Tigers will look to get on track in their home opener against Central Christian College on Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 7:30 pm.

FHSU Athltics

Fort Hays State used double-digit scoring efforts from three Tigers to pick up a 71-65 season opening win over Bemidji State on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Radisson Hotel Roseville Classic in St. Paul, Minn.

FHSU (1-0) led by as many as 15 in the game, but was forced to hang on late as BSU (0-1) kept the game close down to the wire.

The Tigers stormed out of the gate, jumping out to a 12-4 lead in the first four minutes before stretching their lead to 15 (25-10) just eight minutes in.  That dominance, however, would not last as BSU answered with three consecutive three-pointers as part of a 15-1 run that cut the lead to one (26-25) at 7:29.  A free throw and a layup from Kate Lehman put the Tigers back up by four, though BSU trailed by two twice more in the half (29-27 and 32-30).  Inside 35 seconds to play, a four-point burst to end the half sent the Tigers to the break up six, 36-30.

Out of the pause, again started hot, using an 11-4 run (including nine unanswered) over the first 3:37 of the final period to push the lead back to double-digits 47-34. After BSU shrunk the Tigers’ lead to six (42-48) at 14:37, three-pointers from Jill Faxon and Chelsea Mason provided an answer to push the lead back above 10 – where it stayed until 3:32 when a layup from BSU’s Sierra Senske brought the score to 65-56.

Inside 30 seconds to go, FHSU looked to be in control with a 10-point lead, but a jump shot from Tatum Sheley and a layup from Aimee Pelzer in a three-second span pulled the Beavers within striking distance (68-62). Nikola Kacperska hit one of two free throws on the other end to put the lead back at seven, but Sheley’s three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining continued to keep BSU close, down 69-65. Beth Bohuslavsky sealed the game with 12 seconds on the clock, however, hitting both free throws and sending the Tigers towards their 10th consecutive season-opening win.

Although the Tigers lost the turnover battle, 18-17, they did outscore BSU 19-12 in points off turnovers, including a 14-4 advantage in the second half.  On the boards, FHSU was dominant, outhustling the Beavers 52-39 overall and 21-11 on the offensive end.

Both squads shot well from the field, hitting over 38 percent of their field goals, though FHSU shot just 47.6 percent from the charity stripe (10-21).

Lehman just missed a double-double for the evening, pacing the Tigers with 24 points and nine rebounds – adding three blocks in 29 minutes on the floor.  Bohuslavsky matched the rebounding effort with nine boards of her own, adding five points and a team-high seven assists.

Faxon’s 21 points tied a career-high (set last season against Oklahoma-Panhandle State), as the sophomore hit 5-of-9 from three-point range while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists.

Elle Stein was the other Tiger to hit double-digit in scoring, adding 11 to the winning effort in her Fort Hays State debut.

Under head coach Tony Hobson, FHSU is now 7-0 in season openers.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Upper Iowa’s Jace Hanna hit four free throws in the final 10 seconds to hold Fort Hays State at bay as the Peacocks defeat the Tigers 86-83 in the season opener for both Friday at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Missouri. The win avenges FHSU’s 97-90 overtime win over UIU a year ago in Marshall. Minnesota.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Fort Hays State used 50-percent shooting in the first half in building a 40-37 halftime lead, but the Peacocks used a 9-0 run early in the second half to build an eight-point lead. Back-to-back Jared Tadlock baskets gave the Tigers a 66-65 lead with 8:49 to play. A Carson Parker layup gave Upper Iowa the lead for good with 2:39 to play.
Game Highlights

FHSU had a chance to tie with 0:14 to play, but Craig Nicholson missed the first of two free throws. His off-balance three at the horn came up short ending the Tigers hopes of forcing overtime.

Nicholson led all scoring with 24 points and seven assists. Dom Samac added 12 and Royce Williams 10. Both battled foul trouble throughout the game, playing a combined 38 minutes.

The Tigers shot only 35-percent in the second half and finish 42-percent for the game including 4-of-16 from 3-point range. FHSU did hit 23-of-26 free throws.

UIU shot 48-percent from the floor and was 9-for-23 from beyond the arc. They were led by Jimmy Roth who scored 18.