No. 6 Fort Hays State dropped a 21-11 dual matchup to Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon in St. Charles, Mo.
The Tigers are now 8-5-1 (2-3 MIAA) on the season, while LU improved to 5-2 (3-2 MIAA).
FHSU fell behind 3-0 at 125 pounds, as No. 8 Adam Ludwin dropped an 11-4 decision to Marco Tamayo.
Soon after, that team score deficit fell to 6-0 as Rory Wilkinson (133) dropped a close decision, 7-6, against Matt Katusin.
At 141 pounds, No. 5 C.J. Napier started the comeback for FHSU, picking up a 9-3 decision in impressive fashion over LU’s Kyle Webb. The win was Napier’s 22nd of the season and put his Division II record at 17-2.
The Tigers’ comeback would pause there, however, as LU took a 9-3 lead after another close loss for FHSU at 149 pounds. Killip lost a decision, 5-4, to Terrell Willbourn.
Down by three in the third period, Mitchel Means (157) tied the match (9-9) for FHSU after turning Derrick Weller and picking up the fall in 6:29.
At 165 pounds, Bradley Little fought tough, but dropped an overtime decision, 4-2, to Morgan Fitzgerald.
Bryce Lewis’ 5-3 decision at 174 pounds tied the match again, setting the teams square, 12-12 with three matches to go.
During Jon Inman’s 184 pound match, FHSU had a team point deducted on a technical violation. Inman lost the match by decision, 17-11, and FHSU fell behind by four (15-11).
LU sealed its victory at 197 pounds, as Chad Rous (FHSU) lost a decision, 11-4, to Kenneth Breaux.
In the lone matchup between ranked individuals, No. 7 Trey Page (285) fell by decision to eighth-ranked Steven Butler, 6-3.
FHSU heads for Kirksville, Mo., on Tuesday (Jan. 11) to take on Truman State in the final dual of the season. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Complete results are below…
Complete Results
125 – Marco Tamayo (LU) won by decision over Adam Ludwin (FHSU) 11-4
133 – Matt Katusin (LU) won by decision over Rory Wilkinson (FHSU) 7-6
141 – C.J. Napier (FHSU) won by decision over Kyle Webb (LU) 9-3
149 – Terrel Wilbourn (LU) won by decision over Noah Killip (FHSU) 5-4
157 – Mitchell Means (FHSU) won by pin over Derrick Weller (LU) 6:29
165 – Luke Roth (LU) won by decision over Bradley Little (FHSU) 4-2 SV
174 – Bryce Lewis (FHSU) won by decision over Morgan Fitzgerald (LU) 5-3
184 – John McArdle (LU) won by decision over Jon Inman (FHSU) 17-11
197 – Kenny Breaux (LU) won by decision over Chad Rous (FHSU) 11-4
285 – Steven Butler (LU) won by decision over Trey Page (FHSU) 6-3 **Fort Hays was deducted 1 (one) team point during the 184 match. ***There was an exhibition match at 149 – Colton Orlando (LU) won by pin over Ky Biddle (FHSU) 2:12
The Fort Hays State Tigers scored eight straight points down the stretch, six of them from Dwayne Brunson and defeat the Emporia State 65-59 Saturday at White Auditorium in Emporia. The win improves the 23rd-ranked Tigers to 19-4 overall and 10-4 in the MIAA. The Hornets have lost four straight and are now 14-10 and 7-7 in the conference.
The Tigers got off to a slow start, going nearly four minutes before scoring their first points and fell behind by six. They would eventually build a three-point lead only to see the Hornets go on a 10-1 run to go up six with 1:57 to play in the first half. The Tigers would score the final six points of the half to tie the game 23-23 on a Marty Wendel layup following a steal of the Hornets in-bound pass on the other end of the floor.
Kaleb Wright scored the first five points of the second half to give ESU at five-point lead, but a 12-4 Tiger run gave them a three-point advantage. After falling behind by three, the Tigers used a 12-2 run to so up seven with 6:58 to play. The Hornets answered with a 12-5 run to tie the game at 56 with 3:14 to play. Dwayne Brunson scored the next six points as the Tigers pushed the lead to eight then held on in the final minute to preserve the victory.
The Tigers overcame 39-percent shooting and hit just and were just 18-of-30 from the free throw line. ESU shot only 398-percent including 3-of-15 from beyond the arc.
Brunson led the Tigers with 26 points and seven rebounds. Craig Nicholson added 21 points and hit three of the Tigers five 3-pointers.
Emporia State outscored the Fort Hays State Lady Tigers 7-1 over the final 1:41 and defeats the Lady Tigers 80-77 Saturday afternoon at White Auditorium in Emporia. The wins avenges the Lady Tigers 15-point win over ESU in Hays 10 days earlier and puts the Lady Hornets back into a first-place tie atop the MIAA at 21-2 overall and 12-2 in conference play. FHSU falls to 16-5 and 9-5.
The Lady Tigers, playing without senior forward Kate Edwards, raced out to an eight-point first half lead, but a 14-5 ESU run gave then a one-point lead with 6:05 to play in the half. The Hornets would build the lead to four at the break.
Emporia State built the lead to five less than two minutes into the second half, but FHSU scored seven straight to take the lead back They would build the lead to eight with 9:21 to play and were up four with 2:25 left before the Lady Hornets mounted their comeback.
The Lady Tigers had a chance to force overtime, but Paige Lunsford’s 3-pointer from the left wing off an inbounds pass fell short.
Kate Lehman led FHSU with 24 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late in the gane. Tara Ingalsbee added 15, all in the first half, and Beth Bohuslavsky scored 10. Amber Vandiver scored 20 to led ESU who scored 25 points off of 21 Fort Hays State turnovers. The Tigers also struggled from the free throw line connecting on 21-of-35 including 11-of-19 in the second half.
No. 6 Fort Hays State scored five major decisions and one decision en route to a 23-15 victory over Central Missouri on Thursday (Feb. 6).
FHSU improves to 8-4-1 (2-2 MIAA) while UCM drops to 6-5 (1-3 MIAA). Rory Wilkinson, C.J. Napier, Mitchell Means, Jon Inman, Trey Page and Bradley Little each had wins for the Tigers, pushing FHSU to the .500 mark in conference duals.
FHSU fell behind 3-0 early in the team scoring, as seventh ranked Adam Ludwin (125) dropped a double overtime decision to Malacai Collins, 7-3.
At 133 pounds, Wilkinson picked up nine near fall points to defeat Andrew Robinson, 14-1, just missing the technical fall.
No. 5 Napier scored the Tigers’ second major decision of the evening, racking up four takedowns in a 10-2 win over Eric Mateo at 141 pounds.
After Noah Killip dropped an 11-5 decision at 149 pounds to No. 3 Frank Cagnina, Means (157) picked up over 2:30 of riding time and grabbed a 9-0 major decision over Brennan Johnson.
At 165 pounds, Little’s 6-1 decision over Josh Thomsen gave FHSU a 15-6 lead in the team score.
Josh Rodriguez 4-2 setback at 174 pounds put UCM within striking distance, but Inman’s major (10-2) over Josh Ploof at 184 pounds set the Tigers up for the win. Inman ran up 3:24 of riding time to push the decision to a major.
Chad Rous lost by fall (3:58) to Todd Brier at 197 pounds, but Trey Page closed out the dual with an 8-0 major over Jacob Clark. Page had three minutes of riding time and scored a takedown in each period.
FHSU hits the road this weekend to take on Lindenwood and Truman on Feb. 9 and 11, respectively, to close out the regular season.
Nebraska-Kearney shot 53-percent from the field and hit 15-of-16 free throws in the second half in the Lopers 90-83 victory over Fort Hays State at the Health and Sports Center. The wins snaps the Tigers 10-game win streak and ends the Tigers seven-game win streak over UNK. FHSU falls to 18-4 overall and 9-4 in the conference. UNK is now 10-10 and 6-7 in the conference with their fifth straight win.
The Lopers used a 19-5 run to take a 14-point first half lead. The Tigers would answer with a 14-4 run to pull within four with 1:43 to play in the first half and trailed by seven at halftime.
The Tigers would get as close at four in the second half but UNK went on a quick 7-2 run to push the lead to nine and never let the Tigers any closer than five the rest of the way.
James Fleming went 4-for-6 from 3-point range and led six Tigers in double-figures with 16 points. Craig Nicholson and Tomislav Gabrbic both added 14, Carson Konrade 11 with Jake Stoppel and Dwayne Brunson both adding 10.
Kate Lehman was one blocked shot shy of a triple-double, scoring 33 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the Fort Hays State Lady Tigers to an 85-67 win over Nebraska-Kearney at the Health and Sports Center Thursday night. It’s the Lady Tigers third straight win as they improve to 16-4 and 9-4 in the MIAA. The Lopers fall to 7-11 and 3-10 in the conference.
The Lady Tigers raced out to an early 17-4 lead and were up 17 midway through the first half. Nebraska-Kearney would pull within 10 but a Chelsea Mason 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 16-point lead at halftime. They would push that lead to 25 in the second half. UNK made one final push but would get only as close at 15 with 8:54 to play.
The Tigers played the entire second half without Kate Edwards who left with what appeared to be a severe injury. Beth Bohuslavsky also went down with a knee injury in the first half but would return later in the game and finish with 10 points.
Chelsea Mason hit 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and scored 19.
The Fort Hays State football coach Chris Brown announced Wednesday they have signed 31 players for the 2014-15 season.
FHSU signed 13 kids from the state of Kansas, six from Colorado, five from Florida, three from Nebraska, two from Missouri, one from Oklahoma and one from Arizona.
Chris Brown Presser – Part 1
Chris Brown Presser – Part 2
Below is a list of the players who have signed so far…
Britton Bishop
6’4 285 OL
Oologah, Okla. (Oologah HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: All-District and All-Conference in 2013…Played in Green County and Jim Thorpe All-Star Games…Nominee for Oil Bowl…Had 47 pancakes in 2013…Four-year letterwinner in football, one letter in track/field.
Austin Buhl
5’11 190 OLB
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Liberty HS) Planned Major: Athletic Training Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football at Liberty High School…All-Conference First Team selection and All-Area Second Team in 2013…Named school’s defensive player of the year in 2013…All-Conference honorable mention in 2012.
Cade Calvert
6’0 165 FS
Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS) Planned Major: Finance Notes: Senior year (2013) had 107 tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, six fumble recoveries (three forced fumbles)…Two-sport letterwinner (football and track/field)…two-time First Team All-AVCTL…2013 First Team All-State (5A)…Holds school record for fumbles recovered and takeaways in a career…2-time state qualifier in hurdles.
Derek Campbell
6’0 205 RB
Manhattan, Kan. (Hutchinson CC) Planned Major: Health and Human Performance Notes: All-Conference at Hutchinson CC in 2012…All-State Running Back at Manhattan High School in 2010…Two-sport letterwinner in Track and Field and Football.
Dyantre Colston
6’3 190 WR
Belleview, Fla. (Belleview HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Two-year letterwinner in football…In 2013, had 41 catches for 630 yards and three touchdowns…In 2012, had 25 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns…First Team All-County in 2013…Rated 3-Star prospect by 247sports, and 2-star prospect by Rivals.com…Finished second all-time in school history for career touchdowns, third all-time in school history for career catches, and third all-time in school history for career yards.
Tevin Evans
6’1 200 LB/DE
Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: 125 tackles and eight sacks in 2013…First Team All-Dade County…2-star athlete by 247Sports…Played in Dade County vs. Florida All-Star Game…Booker T. Washington HS ranked No. 1 nationally, won HS National Championship in 2013.
Erin Gaither
6’0 190 QB
Wichita, Kan. (Wichita Northwest HS) Planned Major: Biology, Pre-Med Notes: Threw for 1,119 yards and rushed for 814 yards in 2013…Four-year letterwinner in football, two-year letterwinner in wrestling, one letter in baseball…All-City Honorable Mention in 2014…Made honor roll all four years at Wichita Northwest…National Honor Society member.
Brandon Halperin
6’1 205 LB
Thornton, Colo. (Horizon HS) Planned Major: Athletic Training Notes: Two-time First Team All-Conference…Two-time First Team All-Region and Player of the Year (2013)…As a senior, had 85 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a blocked punt.
Colby Hamel
6’3 305 OL
Lakin, Kan. (Garden City CC) Planned Major: Justice Studies Notes: 2012 and 2013 All-Jayhawk Conference honoree…Had 120 pancake blocks in 2013 at Garden City CC…Was a three-sport letterwinner at Lakin High School (Football, Basketball and Track)…Two-time All-State member in football (junior and senior seasons).
Hunter Hewitt
6’3 310 OL
Sterling, Kan. (Sterling HS) Planned Major: Agriculture Business Notes: All-League for OL and DL in 2012 and 2013…Three-year letterwinner in football, four-year letterwinner in track/field…District 5 All-District Honorable Mention in 2013, First Team in 2012…Named Top Offensive Lineman at Sterling HS…Honor Roll Member, Kansas Honor Scholar…Ranked No. 3 in class.
Doyin Jibowu
6’1 171 FS
Denver, Colo. (George Washington HS) Planned Major: Athletic Training Notes: Three interceptions, 57 tackles, two forced fumbles and three touchdowns…Three-year letterwinner in football, Second Team All-League…Honor Roll and National Honors Society Member…Team Captain
Gage Kirwan
6’1 185 WR/DB
Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football at Gretna HS…Three-sport letterwinner in HS (Football, Wrestling and Track and Field)…National Honor Society member for three years…Two-time Academic All-Conference in football…Two-time All-Conference and All-District Honorable Mention.
Jon Kohlscheen
6’2 245 OL/TE
Pleasanton, Neb. (Pleasanton HS) Planned Major: Agriculture Notes: Three-sport letterwinner at Pleasanton HS (Football, Track/Field and Basketball)…All-District and All-Region honoree in 2-13…All-State Honorable Mention his senior season (2013).
Aquil Knowles
6’1 170 DB
Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Senior year had 70 tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups…Three-year letterwinner in football… Booker T. Washington HS ranked No. 1 nationally, won HS National Championship in 2013.
Maverick LeRock
6’2 200 LB
Osborne, Kan. (Osborne HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: All-State Linebacker and Defensive Line in 2013…Won 8-man Division I State Championship in 2013…Selected to Kansas 8-Man All Star Game…Racked up 1,732 All-Purpose yards, 32 touchdowns, 72 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles in 2013…Three-sport letterwinner (football, basketball and track/field).
Coby Lindsey
6’0 230 LB
Coldwater, Kan. (South Central HS) Planned Major: Agronomy Notes: Four-year letterwinner in football and track/field…Defensive Player of the Year for SPIAA…First Team All-District LB in 2013…Second Team All-District RB in 2013.
Brock Long
5’11 210 LB
Assaria, Kan. (Hutchinson CC) Planned Major: Management Notes: Member of the 2013 All-Conference Second Team…Had 100 tackles and two interceptions in 2013…Totaled 88 tackles in 2012…At Southeast of Saline High School, grabbed First Team All-League honors twice…Was a two-time First Team All-League honoree for football…Three-sport letterwinner in HS (Football, Wrestling and Baseball).
Cole Lorenzen
5’11 190 DE
Smith Center, Kan. (Smith Center HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Senior season had 27 solo tackles, 47 assisted tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries…160 receiving yards, eight catches and one touchdown in 2013…Lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and track/field at Smith Center HS…All-MCL Selection (TE/DE) in 2012 and 2013…Team Captain (2013)…State qualifier for javelin (Class 2A), took fifth.
Grant McConnell
6’2 220 DE
Thornton, Colo. (Mountain Range HS) Planned Major: Business Marketing Notes: All-State honors in 2013…First Team All-Conference in 2013…Second Team All-Conference in 2011 and 2012…Lead the state in sacks in 2013 (17 sacks)…Had 93 tackles senior season…Front Range League MVP (2013)…Academic All-State in 2011 and 2012…Two-sport letterwinner in football (three years) and track and field (two years).
Cordaryl Pandolfo
5’11 170 WR
Davenport, Fla. (Ridge Community HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Three-sport letterwinner (Football, Baseball and Track/Field)…Second Team All-County in 2012 and 2013…In 2013 had 1,064 all-purpose yards (675 receiving yards, 389 rushing yards) and five touchdowns.
Wyatt Parker
6’3 210 DE
Blue Springs, Mo. (Blue Springs South HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football…All-Conference and All-Area honoree in football…All-District and State qualifier in wrestling…Senior year had 73 tackles, four fumble recoveries, nine sacks and four tackles for loss (-17 yards).
Trever Powell
5’9 170 RB/WR/DB
Greensburg, Kan. (Kiowa County HS) Planned Major: Pre-Physical Therapy Notes: Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball and track/field…rushed for 4,871 yards, 77 touchdowns…Had 6,058 all-purpose yards and 88 total touchdowns…racked up 262 tackles and 17 interceptions…As a senior, named Sports in Kansas 8-man Division I Offensive Player of the Year, K-Preps Offensive MVP, Topeka Capital Journal First-Team All-State, First Team SPIAA and K-Preps as RB and DB…Honor roll member.
Micquille Robinson
6’0 180 LB
Wichita, Kan. (Northwest HS) Planned Major: Health and Human Performance Notes: 2013 stats included 70 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, five sacks (42 yards) and two forced fumbles…Three time honor roll member at Northwest HS…Two-sport letterwinner (Football and Wrestling)…Team captain.
Aujonte (AJ) Roper
5’11 200 WR/SS
Aurora, Colo. (Overland HS) Planned Major: Physical Therapy Notes: First Team All-Conference in 2013…Four-year letterwinner in football…Three-sport letterwinner in HS (Football, Track/Field and Basketball).
Christian Sanders
5’11 180 RB
Wichita, Kan. (Wichita Northwest HS) Planned Major: Industrial Technologies Notes: Four-year letterwinner in football, one letter in track/field…Averaged 7.3 yards per carry on 94 rushes (687 rushing yards) with three touchdowns…GWAL All-Conference Honorable Mention (2013).
Taylor Scott
5’11 175 RB/WR
Cheraw, Colo. (Cheraw HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Played both sides of the ball for Cheraw HS…In 2013 had 47 rushes for 390 yards and four touchdowns, caught 19 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns…Defensively his senior season, had 56 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Connor Shedeed
5’11 185 DB
Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS) Planned Major: Criminal Justice Notes: Three-year letterwinner at Gretna HS in Football and Wrestling…Played Rugby and Lacrosee (non-school sponsored)…2014 Blue-Grey All-American (senior season)…2013 Shrine Bowl (Nebraska) as a senior…All-State Honorable Mention (Safety) in 2013…First Team All-Metro Area Safety as a junior and senior…First Team All-Conference, All-District as sophomore, junior and senior…Racked up 1,300 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns…Had 65 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups on defense in 2013.
Kevin Spain
6’2 215 QB
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC) Planned Major: Justice Studies Notes: Redshirted in 2013…Threw for 669 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012…Three-sport letterwinner at Paradise Valley HS (Football, Baseball and Lacrosse)…Two-time National Underclassman Combine QB MVP…All-State Safety, All-Region Quarterback in 2009-10…2-star prospect by ESPN in 2010.
Justin Stonebraker
5’11 170 FS
Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS) Planned Major: Secondary Education Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football, basketball and track/field…Passed for 1,847 yards (102-of-177) and 23 touchdowns in 2013…Rushed 137 times for 876 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013…First Team All-State (5A) for KFBCA…AVCTL Offensive MVP in 2013…Honorable Mention All-State (5A) for Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital…All-League First Team in 2013, Second Team in 2012…Qualified for State Track and Field in 2011, 2012 and 2013…All-State in Basketball 2012-13.
Malik Thomas
5’10 190 RB
Miami, Fla. (Miami Springs HS) Planned Major: Forensic Science Notes: Finished 2013 with 1,416 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns…Second Team All-Dade County and All-State Honorable Mention (2013)…Honor Roll student…Two-sport letterwinner (football and track/field)…Miami Springs HS reached playoffs for first time since 1995 and were district runner-ups with Thomas on the team.
John Wilson
6’0 175 DB
Kansas City, Mo. (Hogan Prep Academy) Planned Major: Sports Medicine Notes: Three-sport letterwinner at Hogan Prep Academy (Football, Wrestling, Track/Field)…First Team All-State in 2013…First Team All-District in 2013…Had 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown in 2013…Senior season returned two punts for touchdowns.
Fort Hays State moved up one spot in the latest NABC Division II Top 25 Men’s Basketball Poll, released on Tuesday (Feb. 4). The Tigers won a pair of overtime contests last week at home, allowing them to move up one spot and grace the top 25 for the fifth time out of 11 regular season polls this year.
Fort Hays State was in the top 25 for the first three regular season polls this year, ranked No. 25 in the first, No. 20 in the second, and No. 15 in the third before falling out after a pair of overtime losses on the road in conference play. However, an eight-game win streak vaulted the Tigers back into the poll last week at No. 24 and they extended the win streak to 10 with a pair of overtime wins at home over Emporia State and Washburn to secure a spot in the poll for another week, now at No. 23.
Fort Hays State will have the new ranking tested this week with a pair of tough road games. FHSU faces a red-hot Nebraska-Kearney team in Kearney on Wednesday, then heads to Emporia Saturday for the return match-up with Emporia State.
Fort Hays State (18-3 overall) remains the only school from the MIAA represented in the top 25, with Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Southern each receiving votes.
Below is the NABC Top 25 Poll for February 4, 2014…
Team
Record
Points
Pvs
1. Metropolitan State, Colo. (8 first place votes)
18-1
388
3
2. Tarleton State, Texas (6 first place votes)
18-0
385
4
3. East Stroudsburg, Pa. (1 first place vote)
20-0
361
6
4. Drury, Mo. (1 first place vote)
18-1
356
5
5. West Liberty, W.Va.
17-1
323
1
6. Florida Southern
19-1
320
2
7. Lincoln Memorial, Tenn.
17-1
293
8
8. Indianapolis, Ind.
17-2
283
10
9. Indiana, Pa.
18-2
253
11
10. Montevallo, Ala.
16-2
225
12
11. Colorado School of Mines
17-2
221
13
12. Cal State-San Bernardino
16-2
220
7
13. California Baptist
18-1
218
14
14. Delta State, Miss.
17-2
190
15
15. Southern Indiana
16-3
168
16
16. Southern Connecticut State
18-2
143
19
17. South Carolina Aiken
18-3
135
9
18. Cal Poly Pomona
15-3
117
23
19. Seattle Pacific, Wash.
18-4
92
T20
20. Wisconsin-Parkside
17-3
87
18
21. Minnesota State
19-4
85
22
22. Lewis, Ill.
16-3
84
17
23. Fort Hays State, Kan.
18-3
53
24
24. GRU Augusta, Ga.
17-3
43
NR
25. Lake Superior State, Mich.
19-3
39
NR
Others receiving votes: Bellarmine (Ky.) 36, Franklin Pierce (N.H.) 16, Walsh (Ohio) 13, Chico State (Calif.) 10, Northwest Missouri State 10, Western Washington 8, Findlay (Ohio) 6, Missouri Southern 6, Dixie State (Utah) 5, Winona State (Minn.) 3, Texas A&M International 2, Barry (Fla.) 1, Dowling (N.Y.) 1. Records are through games of Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014.
Fort Hays State re-entered the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Top 25 on Tuesday, grabbing 56 votes for the 25th spot after sweeping last week’s action against rivals Emporia State and Washburn at home.
FHSU (15-4, 8-4 MIAA), which had 29 votes in last week’s poll, took down then No. 3 ESU on Thursday (Jan. 30), 72-57, and on Saturday (Feb. 1), defeated WU, 69-62. ESU (now No. 7) joins the Tigers as one of three MIAA teams in the Top 25. The other squad, Central Missouri, fell one spot, from 12th to 13th. Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern are in the receiving votes section of the poll. PSU earned eight points, while MSSU had five points. The Tigers have been in the WBCA Top 25 three times this season, ranking 23rd on Jan. 14, and 24th on Jan. 21.
FHSU travels to Nebraska-Kearney on Feb. 5 (Wednesday) for a 5:30 p.m. contest, and to Emporia, Kan., for a rematch with ESU on Saturday, Feb. 8.
The complete WBCA Top 25 poll is below…
Rk
Institution – First Place Votes
Previous
Record
Points
1
Bentley University (30)
1
20-0
798
2
Colorado Mesa (2)
2
19-0
763
3
Gannon University
4
20-1
712
4
Nova Southeastern
5
17-1
697
5
West Texas A&M
6
17-1
671
6
Harding University
8
19-1
618
7
Emporia State
3
19-2
589
8
Wayne State College
9
21-2
523
9
Drury University
7
17-2
515
10
Glenville State College
10
18-2
490
11
Quincy University
15
17-2
451
12
Delta State University
11
16-2
441
13
Central Missouri
12
16-3
416
14
Virginia State University
14
17-1
400
15
Rollins College
13
18-3
371
T16
Cal State Polytechnic – Pomona
17
15-3
265
T16
Lewis University
20
16-3
265
18
Wayne State University
18
17-2
254
19
University of Indianapolis
16
18-4
170
20
North Georgia
21
15-3
163
21
Tarleton State
19
15-4
162
22
Northern State University
23
17-3
146
23
Minnesota State – Mankato
24
15-5
76
24
Wingate
NR
15-3
60
25
Fort Hays State
NR
15-4
56
Others Receiving Votes: Edinboro University (Pa.) 47; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 45; University of District of Columbia (DC) 37; Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) 27; Montana State University – Billings 26; California State University – Dominguez Hills 16; Concordia University (Minn.) 12; Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho) 12; Seattle Pacific University (Wash.) 12; Clayton State University (Ga.) 10; Adelphi University (N.Y.) 9; Pittsburg State University (Kan.) 8; Indiana University of Pennsylvania 6; Texas A&M International University 6; Western Washington University 6; Michigan Technological University 5; Missouri Southern State University 5; Saint Edwards University (Texas) 4; Saint Mary’s University (Texas) 4; University of Tampa (Fla.) 4; Georgia College 3; Minot State University (N.D.) 3; Stonehill College (Mass.) 3; Academy of Art University (Calif.) 2; Young Harris College (Ga.) 2; Belmont Abbey College (N.C.) 1; Lee University (Tenn.) 1; Philadelphia University (Pa.) 1; Saint Leo University (Fla.) 1; Simon Fraser University (BC) 1; University of Alaska – Anchorage 1.
Fort Hays State sophomore point guard Craig Nicholson was named the MIAA Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the third time this season on Monday (Feb. 3).
He was honored for his efforts in a pair of overtime wins at home over in-state rivals Emporia State and Washburn. Nicholson averaged 29.5 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game last week.
He scored a career-high 36 points in the double-overtime win against Emporia State. He scored 11 of the last 12 points in regulation for FHSU, the last bucket coming with 11 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime. Nicholson added 14 points over the two overtimes, including 10 in the second overtime. His 3-point play with 50 seconds remaining put FHSU up four (its largest lead margin of the game to that point). ESU would not get closer than three points the rest of the way.
Against Washburn, he scored 22 of his 23 points in regulation, 15 by halftime helping FHSU to a 14-point lead at the break. He had a team-high eight assists, including the pass to Dwayne Brunson for the game-winning shot that went through with 0.3 seconds remaining in overtime.
No. 6 Fort Hays State picked up its first conference dual victory on Sunday (Feb. 2), rolling over Newman, 36-15, at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigers (7-4-1, 1-2 MIAA) had three pins on the afternoon, as C.J. Napier (141), Noah Killip (149) and Mitchell Means (157) stuck their individual opponents. Josh Rodriguez (174) had a technical fall, while Bradley Little (165) picked up a major decision and Symon Seaton (133) had a decision.
FHSU was open in the 125 and 285 pound weight classes, and lost just one head-to-head match: a 3-1 decision at 197 pounds (Chad Rous).
After the bye at 125 pounds, Seaton paired up with Kris Workman (NU). Down 4-1 with less than 30 seconds to go, Workman used a takedown and a five-second near fall count to pull ahead and take the decision, 6-5. Reed had one point of riding time.
Napier started a stretch of three straight pins for the Tigers, working against Wyatt Wade for two periods before sticking him just 21 seconds into the second period (fall time of 3:39).
Killip, in his first match since Dec. 15, took control early and picked up a first period pin over Zach Duwe in 1:58.
Means followed suit, winning by fall over Colton Duhr in just 2:34, and stretching the Tigers’ team score advantage to 21-6.
At 165 pounds, Little used a takedown late in the third period (under 20 seconds remaining) and riding time to stretch a decision into a major, defeating Noel Torres, 10-2.
Rodriguez won FHSU’s final head-to-head matchup of the night in impressive fashion, scoring early and often en route to a 17-2 technical fall as time expired. Rodriguez racked up over two minutes of riding time to push the victory from major to a tech fall.
After Jon Inman’s forfeit victory at 184 pounds, Chad Rous dropped a 3-1 decision to Steven Cooksley and FHSU went open at heavyweight, sending the dual to a final score of 36-15.
Fort Hays State closes out the home portion of its 2014 dual schedule on Thursday (Feb. 6) against Central Missouri at 7 p.m.
