By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Dwayne Brunson hit an 17-foot jump shot inside the free throw circle with less than one-second to play to lift the Fort Hays State Tigers to an 87-85 overtime win over Washburn Saturday afternoon in front of 4,877 at Gross Coliseum. The 24th-ranked Tigers have now won 10-straight and improve to 18-3 overall and 9-3 in the MIAA. Washburn drops to 14-5 and 7-5 in the conference.

The game was Fort Hays State’s sixth overtime contest this season which is a school and new MIAA record.

Fort Hays State led by 14 at the half and built their lead to 17 on four different occasions, the latest with 13:16 to play, but the Ichabods hit 10 second half 3-pointers and outscore the Tigers 36-19 to rest of the half. Washburn’s Alex North, who finished with 23 points, banked in a 3-pointer with under three seconds to play to force the overtime.

The Ichabods built their biggest lead of the game with 1:28 to play in overtime but Carson Konrade answered with a three from the right wing with 1:02 to play to tie the game 85-85. Craig Nicholson missed a shot with under 10 seconds to play but the Tigers forced a jump ball and had the final possession with two-seconds to play setting up Brunson’s game-winning heroics.

Craig Nicholson led the Tigers with 23 points, Brunson added 19, James Fleming added 17 and Konrade 13.

The Tigers shot 49-percent from the field and 9-of-16 from 3-point range and connected on 26-of-30 from the free throw line. Washburn finished 14-of-25 from beyond the arc but were just 15-of-22 from the foul line.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview


Game Highlights

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers outscore Washburn 14-6 over the final 4:42 and defeat the Ichabods 69-62 Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers improve to 15-4 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA while Washburn falls to 13-6 and 8-4 in the coneference.

The Tigers used an 11-2 run to build a nine-point lead with 5:11 to play in the first half and were up seven at halftime. A Tera Ingalsbee 3-pointer pushed the lead to 10 early in the second half. Washburn tied the game at 43 with 12:31 to play then pulled within one at 55-54 with 4:42 to go before the Tigers took control down the stretch.

Foe a second straight game, the Lady Tigers were dominant on the glass, outrebounding the Ichabods by 18 and scored 24 second chance points off of 19 offensive rebounds.

Kate Lehman led the Tigers with 14 points despite playing only 17 minutes because of foul trouble. Nikola Kacperska added 11 and Tera Ingalsbee 10.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

MIAA Media Relations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending National Champion Central Oklahoma has been selected by the MIAA coaches to finish atop the league. The Bronchos got 13 first place votes as they were picked unanimously atop the poll.

The Bronchos won the regular season crown, and though eliminated in the MIAA Tournament, defeated Kutztown 5-2 in the National Championship game. Missouri Western has been picked in the second spot after going 38-16 during the 2013 campaign and finished 20-8 in league play. Fort Hays State, who won the MIAA conference tournament, has been picked in the third spot after going 21-5 in league play last season.

Just eight points behind Fort Hays State is Emporia State who has been picked fourth in the league after going 18-10 and finishing fourth in the league last season. Northeastern State has been picked fifth in the poll coming in just four points ahead of Pittsburg State who is picked sixth overall. Central Missouri is in the seventh spot, just two points ahead of Northwest Missouri is picked eighth.

Missouri Southern has been picked in the ninth spot by the coaches with Lindenwood just ten points behind and picked to finish tenth. Washburn earned 51 points to be picked to finish eleventh by the coaches in 2014. Nebraska-Kearney takes the twelfth spot with 40 points and Lincoln is picked thirteenth with 25 points. Southwest Baptist rounds out the poll picked it he fourteenth spot.

Lincoln will hit the road for Arkansas on Feb. 1 with most other teams slated to get going the following weekend.

2014 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (13)     169
2. Missouri Western  (1)       156
3. Fort Hays State                138
4. Emporia State                  130
5. Northeastern State           115
6. Pittsburg State                  111
7. Central Missouri                 95
8. Northwest Missouri            93
9. Missouri Southern              73
10. Lindenwood                     63
11. Washburn                        51
12. Nebraska-Kearney          40
13. Lincoln                             25
14. Southwest Baptist           15

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Craig Nicholson scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Fort Hays State Tigers to a 99-92 double-overtime win over Emporia State at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers have now won nine straight and improve to 17-3 overall and 8-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets see their five-game win streak end and are now 14-7 and 7-4 in conference play.

It was the third overtime meeting between the two long-time rivals in the last four meetings with FHSU winning all three.

The Tigers played from behind much of the night and were down 10 with 12:51 to play but put together a 10-2 run to pull within two with 9:42 to play. A Nicholson three-point play put FHSU up one with 1:50 to play in regulation. He had a chance to give them the lead with 0:11 left but missed a free throw. The game went to overtime after the Hornets Kaleb Wright missed a 3-pointer.

Both teams scored 10 points in the first overtime.

Achoki Moikobi hit two big 3-pointers in the second overtime. He tied the game at 86 with 2:42 to play, then knocked one in with 1:41 left to give the Tigers the lead for good at 92-91. After a missed Hornet 3-pointer, Craig Nicholson converted on a three-point play to push the lead to four. Nicholson finished 13-of-16 from the free throw line including eight of nine in the two overtime periods.

Dwayne Brunson added 24 points and eight rebounds and Moikobi scored 15. Kaleb Wright dumped in 30 to lead the Hornets.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers outrebounded the nation’s top rebounding team by 17 and end a 15-game losing streak to Emporia State dating back to 2002, knocking No. 3 Hornets 72-57. The win also snaps a 24-game losing streak top-10 opponents dating back to 1998 when they knocked off No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney.

Rebounding and free throw shooting was the key for FHSU, who pulled down 25 offensive rebounds and outscored the Hornets by 13 at the foul line.

Both teams were 25-of-71 from the field. FHSU hit 3-of-13 three’s and the Hornets 1-for-9.

Kate Edwards led the Tigers with 20 points and 12 rebounds, Tera Ingaslbe scored 15 with 10 boards in her first career start and Kate Lehman added 12 points and 14 boards>

FHSU improves to 14-4 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA while ESU falls to 18-2 and 9-2 in the conference.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State senior infielder/designated hitter Horace Johnson has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason All-America Team for 2014, released on Thursday (Jan. 30). Johnson was named to the second team as a designated hitter.

Johnson was a Daktronics All-Central Region First Team and Rawlings/ABCA All-Central Region Second Team selection last year at designated hitter. Johnson batted .336 with nine home runs, nine doubles, 34 RBI, and a team-leading .587 slugging percentage in 2013. He is one of three starters returning to the Tiger lineup this year.

2014 NCBWA Division II Preseasion All-America Team

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State baseball has been picked ninth in the MIAA Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll, released on Thursday (Jan. 30). The Tigers were picked in the same position they finished in the standings last year, coming off a 23-22 season and an appearance in the MIAA Tournament.

Fort Hays State was the No. 8 seed in the MIAA Tournament last year since Lindenwood was not postseason eligible in its last year of transition from NAIA to NCAA. Fort Hays State struggled to find a rhythm last year with its longest win streak at four games. The Tigers also had four three-game win streaks, but that was countered by one five-game, one four-game, and one three-game losing streak.

The scheduling in the conference last year may have precipitated the up-and-down play, with several mid-week doubleheaders and three-game series on the weekends. Weather also played a big factor, often rearranging the schedule.

Fort Hays State returns three starters with All-MIAA Honors from a year ago in seniors Horace Johnson, Clayton Garland, and Jordan Miller. Johnson was an All-MIAA First Team selection at designated hitter and also garnered all-region first team and second team honors. Garland and Miller, both outfielders, earned honorable mention honors. Miller led the team in batting average (.390), while Garland was second (.388). Both provided good speed, each swiping 13 bases. Johnson tied for the team lead in home runs (9) and slugging percentage (.587), while batting .336. They are the only regular starters from last year’s team to return this year.

The pitching rotation is likely to have a whole new look to it this year, as Nathan Zimmerman is the only returner with starting experience. Zimmerman started three games last year, going 3-1. There are a handful of newcomers that will be competing for the starting rotation and the Tigers will need to have a stopper emerge out of the bullpen after losing their top reliever from last year as well.

Fort Hays State opens the season next weekend in Hays with a three-game series against Upper Iowa, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 8).

Below is the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll…

2014 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (12) – 168
2. Missouri Western (1) – 144
3. Central Oklahoma (1) – 139
T4. Emporia State – 128
T4. Missouri Southern – 128
6. Pittsburg State – 110
7. Lindenwood – 98
8. Northeastern State – 94
9. Fort Hays State – 73
10. Nebraska-Kearney – 57
11. Northwest Missouri – 49
12. Washburn – 37
13. Southwest Baptist – 34
14. Lincoln – 15

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State wrestling stayed put at No. 6 in the latest Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll, released Wednesday, while four wrestlers earned national recognition in their individual weight classes.

FHSU, which received 112 votes in the rankings, is joined by MIAA opponents Nebraska-Kearney (No. 2) and Central Oklahoma (No. 5) in the Top 10.  Conference foe Lindenwood is also receiving votes.

NCAA Division II Wrestling Rankings

Individually, Adam Ludwin (125), C.J. Napier (141), Tanner Kriss (197) and Trey Page (285) are ranked top eight in their respective weight classes.

Ludwin, 26-10 on the year, is 16-10 against Division II opponents and most recently claimed the 125-pound title at the Kansas Cup last weekend.  Ludwin is eighth in the latest rankings.

Napier, ranked fifth, finished second at the Kansas Cup, and took down conference opponent Brock Coutu (previously No. 2) of UNK, 8-7, earlier in the week. Napier is 19-4 thus far this season at 141 pounds.

Kriss hasn’t wrestled since Jan. 12, but is 8-3 on the season and ranked seventh at 187 pounds.

Closing out the individual rankings for the Tigers is heavyweight Trey Page (20-8 overall, 13-6 against Division II).  Page is seventh nationally.

This week, the Tigers host Newman on Sunday (Feb. 2) at 2 p.m., and Central Missouri on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.

FHSU Sports Information

Former Fort Hays State basketball player Ben Congiusta has signed to play professional basketball for Club Baloncesto Clavijo, located in Longrono, Spain. The team, also known by it’s sponsor’s name, Cocinas.com, is part of the Spanish Basketball Federation. The Spanish Basketball Federation is a member of the continental association FIBA Europe and the global International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Congiusta was an All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection in 2012-13 as a senior. The Sydney, Australia native averaged 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Congiusta led the MIAA in 3-point field goal percentage (.446) and had 78 3-point field goals made in 2012-13. He was also named to the MIAA All-Tournament Team his senior year.

Congiusta joins a long list of players coached by Mark Johnson at Fort Hays State to go on and play professionally. Below is a list of former players under Johnson to play professionally. Years listed are years played at FHSU.

Ben Congiusta (2009-13)
KC Rodenburg (2011-12)
Moses Dayee (2010-12)
Karron McKenzie (2010-12)
Dominique Jones (2009-11)
Dijon Smith (2009-11)
Ken Bowman (2009-11)
Terry Jeffries (2007-09)
Rob Igbawua (2007-09)
Tyrone Shephard (2004-06)
Jonathan Raney (2001-03)
Melroy McKelvey (2001-03)

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

For the first time since early December, the Fort Hays State men’s basketball team is in the NABC top-25. The Tigers, who were ranked as high as 15th before losing three of four in December, are back in this week’s poll at No. 24.

The Tigers are the only MIAA team ranked in this week’s poll. Missouri Southern, who was ranked 22nd, fell out after a loss at conference leading Northwest Missouri State. The Lions, along with the Bearcats are among those receiving votes.

FHSU is at home Thursday to play Emporia State then host Washburn Saturday.

NABC Division II Poll

 

 

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers have dropped out of this week’s WBCA/USA Today Division II women’s basketball poll. The Lady Tigers, who fell to No. 24 in last week’s rankings, are still receiving votes and are the third highest vote getter not ranked.

Emporia State, who lost for the first time at Northeastern State last week, drops one spot to No. 3. Central Missouri falls to 12th after a home loss to Lindenwood.

The Tigers host Emporia State on Thursday and Washburn Saturday.

Complete poll below…

Rank	Institution – First Place Votes	Previous Rank	Record	Points
1	Bentley University (Mass.) -30	1	18-0	798
2	Colorado Mesa University -1	4	17-0	756
3	Emporia State University (Kan.) -1	2	18-1	697
4	Gannon University (Pa.)	5	18-1	682
5	Nova Southeastern University (Fla.)	3	15-1	667
6	West Texas A&M University	7	16-1	654
7	Drury University (Mo.)	9	16-1	597
8	Harding University (Ark.)	6	18-1	585
9	Wayne State College (Neb.)	12	19-2	489
10	Glenville State College (W.Va.)	11	16-2	483
11	Delta State University (Miss.)	10	14-2	441
12	University of Central Missouri	8	15-3	399
13	Rollins College (Fla.)	13	16-3	398
14	Virginia State University	15	15-1	394
15	Quincy University (Ill.)	16	15-2	358
16	University of Indianapolis (Ind.)	18	17-3	322
17	California State Polytechnic University – Pomona	14	13-3	253
18	Wayne State University (Mich.)	21	14-2	228
19	Tarleton State University (Texas)	17	14-3	209
20	Lewis University (Ill.)	23	14-3	167
21	University of North Georgia	19	14-3	152
22	Edinboro University (Pa.)	NR	14-3	95
23	Northern State University (S.D.)	22	15-3	94
24	Minnesota State University – Mankato	25	13-5	87
25	Adelphi University (N.Y.)	20	14-4	54

 

 

Dropped Out: Fort Hays State University (Kan.).

Others Receiving Votes: Missouri Southern State University 41; Wingate University (N.C.) 36; Fort Hays State University (Kan.) 29; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 27; University of Alaska – Anchorage 25; Georgia College 21; Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) 21; Saint Leo University (Fla.) 19; University of District of Columbia 17; Concordia University (Minn.) 12; Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho) 12; Montana State University – Billings 11; Seattle Pacific University (Wash.) 9; Clayton State University (Ga.) 7; Indiana University of Pennsylvania 6; Young Harris College (Ga.) 6; Michigan Technological University 5; California State University – East Bay 4; Saint Edwards University (Texas) 4; Saint Mary’s University (Texas) 4; University of Tampa (Fla.) 4; Minot State University (N.D.) 3; Pittsburg State University (Kan.) 2; Western Washington University 2; Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) 1; LIU Post (N.Y.) 1; Truman State University (Mo) 1.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Tigers built a 16-point first half lead then had to hold on for a 78-75 win over Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon at John Lance Arena in Pittsburg. The victory is the Tigers eighth straight and improves them to 16-3 overall and 7-3 in the MIAA. The Gorillas have now lost four straight and are 6-10 and 2-7 in the MIAA.

The Tigers went on a 19-4 first half run to go up 27-12 and pushed it as high as 16 before Pitt State cut it to eight at the half. The Gorillas hit seven of their first nine 3-point shots in the second half. The game was tied 71-71 when Craig Nicholson hit a 3-pointer with 2:29 to play. Nicholson would hit four free throws in the final 30-seconds to keep the lead at three.

Pitt State had a chance to tie but Devon Branch’s 3-pointer rimmed off at the horn.

The Tigers shoot just 39-percent for the game and only 62,5-percent from the foul line but outrebound the Gorillas by seven.

Carson Konrade led the Tigers with 17 points, all in the second half. Nicholson and James Fleming both score 15 and Jake Stoppel added 10 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.

Devon Branch led Pitt State with 20.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights