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Category: Sports
FHSU women drop to No. 3 in latest WBCA poll
FHSU Athletics
The latest edition of the WBCA Division II Poll was released on Tuesday (Jan. 5). After enjoying nearly a month at No. 1 in the nation, Fort Hays State only slipped two spots in the latest poll to No. 3. The Tigers went 4-1 overall in their stay at No. 1 from December 8 to January 5.
Fort Hays State is still the highest ranked team from the MIAA in the poll. The MIAA boasts three teams within the top 15, led by FHSU at No. 3. Emporia State with two losses on the season is still in the top 10 at No. 8. The Hornets started the year at No. 1 in the preseason rankings and stayed there for the first two regular season polls until the No. 5 ranked Tigers took the No. 1 ranking with a 71-70 win over the Hornets in Hays on December 5. Fort Hays State held the No. 1 ranking for two regular season polls as well.
Missouri Western surprisingly remains outside the top 10 at No. 13, despite its 14-0 overall and 8-0 MIAA record. That record will be tested soon as the Griffons face a tough stretch starting on January 13 having to travel to Washburn, then Emporia State, followed by home games against FHSU and Nebraska-Kearney, then road games at Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. Missouri Western has seen a tremendous leap in success this year after going 15-12 overall last year. The Griffons are led by LaQuinta Jefferson, the MIAA’s top scorer at 23.5 points per game, now in her second year at MWSU. She was a national junior college player of the year candidate that initially committed to Louisiana State University before opting to play at Missouri Western.
As the No. 1 team, FHSU defeated Nebraska-Kearney in overtime to protect its ranking in the poll released on December 15. FHSU then went on the road to win at Central Missouri, but took its first loss of the season at Southwest Baptist on December 19. Since the WBCA does not release a poll over the holiday break, FHSU remained No. 1 in the poll and took on Pittsburg State (receiving votes in the poll) and Missouri Southern at home on January 2 and 4. FHSU won both of those contests to post a 4-1 record in its stay at the top.
Fort Hays State has remained in the top 10 of the national rankings in all five regular season polls, going from No. 7, to No. 5, to No. 1 for two polls, and now back to No. 3. The Tigers were No. 10 in the preseason poll.
The Tigers continue the grind of MIAA play on Thursday (Jan. 7) and Saturday (Jan. 9) at Lindenwood and Lincoln, looking to keep pace with Missouri Western at the top of the MIAA standings. Missouri Western plays just once this week against last-place Northwest Missouri State.
Below is the WBCA Division II Top 25 Poll for January 5, 2016.
| Rank | Institution – First Place Votes | Previous Rank | Record | Total Points |
| 1 | West Texas A&M University – 20 | 2 | 12-0 | 596 |
| 2 | University of Alaska – Anchorage – 1 | 5 | 16-1 | 515 |
| 3 | Fort Hays State University (Kan.) | 1 | 12-1 | 509 |
| 4 | California Baptist University | 6 | 10-1 | 480 |
| 5 | Lubbock Christian University (Texas) – 3 | 12 | 11-0 | 438 |
| 6 | Drury University (Mo.) | 4 | 10-1 | 428 |
| 7 | Ashland University (Ohio) | 11 | 12-0 | 423 |
| 8 | Emporia State University (Kan.) | 3 | 11-2 | 417 |
| 9 | Lewis University (Ill.) | 7 | 12-1 | 412 |
| 10 | Limestone College (S.C.) | 8 | 9-0 | 406 |
| 11 | Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) | 10 | 12-1 | 383 |
| 12 | Winona State University (Minn.) | 9 | 14-1 | 371 |
| 13 | Missouri Western State | 16 | 14-0 | 357 |
| 14 | Columbus State University (Ga.) | 15 | 10-1 | 279 |
| 15 | Anderson University (S.C.) | 17 | 8-1 | 208 |
| 16 | West Liberty University (W.Va.) | 19 | 10-1 | 204 |
| 17 | Union University (Tenn.) | 14 | 12-2 | 170 |
| 18 | Benedict College (S.C.) | 24 | 14-1 | 150 |
| 19 | Quincy University (Ill.) | 23 | 11-1 | 133 |
| 20 | Virginia Union University | 20 | 8-1 | 122 |
| 21 | American International College (Mass.) | NR | 13-0 | 110 |
| 22 | Delta State University (Miss.) | 22 | 10-1 | 99 |
| 23 | Arkansas Tech University | 18 | 6-2 | 97 |
| 24 | Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) | 25 | 9-2 | 71 |
| 25 | University of California – San Diego | NR | 10-2 | 69 |
Others receiving votes: California University of Pennsylvania (Pa.) 61; University Of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 50; Florida Southern College 32; Clayton State University (Ga.) 25; Colorado State University – Pueblo 25; Bellarmine University (Ky.) 23; Pittsburg State University (Kan.) 21; Francis Marion University (S.C.) 17; Northern State University (S.D.) 14; Queens College (N.Y.) 11; Assumption College (Mass.) 9; Bentley University (Mass.) 9; Gannon University (Pa.) 6; Kentucky State University (Ky.) 3.
No. 1 Kansas outlasts No. 2 Oklahoma in 3 overtimes
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Perry Ellis had 27 points and 13 rebounds, Devonte Graham hit the go-ahead free throw in the third overtime and top-ranked Kansas outlasted Buddy Hield and second-ranked Oklahoma 109-106 on Monday night in an early showdown of Final Four contenders
Wayne Selden had 21 points and Graham finished with 20 for the Jayhawks (13-1, 2-0 Big 12), who had chances to win the game in regulation and each of the first two overtimes before finally getting it done.
Hield had a career-high 46 points for Oklahoma (12-1, 1-1), but he made two crucial turnovers in the final extra session, then missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Jayhawks celebrated.
Jordan Woodard hit six 3-pointers and had 27 points for the Sooners, who were trying to extend their best start in 28 yards. Ryan Spangler finished with 14 points and 18 rebounds.
Late free throws lift FHSU past Missouri Southern
By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. -Craig Nicholson hit a free throw with three seconds to play to break an 83-all tie and lift the Fort Hays Tigers to a 84-83 win over Missouri Southern Monday at Gross Coliseum. Taevaunn Prince missed a deep three-point attempt at the horn to give the Tigers (11-2, 5-2 MIAA) their sixth straight win.
Mark Johnson Postgame Interview
Rob Davis Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers led by 10 at halftime and pushed the lead to 12 early in the second but the Lions came storming back with a 17-7 run to pull within two at 51-49. An 11-2 run capped by a Trey O’Neil three-pointer pushed the lead to 11 with 4:28 to play.
MSSU (8-6, 5-3 MIAA) outscored the Tigers 13-2 the rest of regulation, getting a three-pointer from Bruce Marshall to the the game with 29 seconds left.
The Lions led by four on two different occasions in the overtime, but a Rob Davis layup closed the gap to two with just over a minute to play. Jake Stoppel hit two free throws to tie the game with 49 seconds left as the Tigers score the final five points of overtime.
Dom Samac led four Tigers in double-figures with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jake Stoppel added 10 points and 11 boards. Rob Davis scored 20 and Craig Nicholson chipped in with 17.
Taevaunn Prince scored 26 to lead the Lions.
Top-ranked Tiger women hold off Missouri Southern
By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. – Beth Bohuslavsky scored 13 of her team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead the top-ranked Tiger women to a 68-60 win over Missouri Southern Monday at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers (12-1, 6-1 MIAA) have won two straight to start the new year while the Lions (9-5, 3-5 MIAA) lose for their third straight.
Tony Hobson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers used an early 14-2 run to go up 10 in the second quarter. A 12-0 run pushed the lead to 15 early in the fourth quarter, but the Lions would battle back with a 16-2 run to pull within two with 1:49 to play in the third.
Paige Lunsford scored in back-to-back possessions to push the lead to six then Bohuslavsky took over for the Tigers.
Chelsea Mason scored 14, Lunsford 13 and Jill Faxon 10. Ellie Stein pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds as the Tigers score 16 second chance points.
FHSU wins despite 36-percent shooting. They hit only 2-of-16 from beyond the arc and missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the second half.
Black Monday in NFL: Coughlin resigns as Giants coach; McCoy returns to Chargers
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Tom Coughlin, who returned the Giants to NFL prominence by winning two Super Bowls, resigned Monday after missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
The Giants announced the decision one day after the Giants (6-10) capped their third straight losing season with a 35-30 defeat against Philadelphia, their third straight and sixth in seven games.
Coughlin said he stepped down “in the best interest of the organization.”
The move may signal the end of a 20-year NFL head coaching career for the 69-year-old Coughlin, one of 13 coaches to win multiple Super Bowls.
The league’s oldest active coach and third-longest tenured among the 32 who finished the season, Coughlin came into 2015 knowing he had to get the Giants back to the postseason to keep his job. It didn’t happen.
• • •
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mike McCoy says he will return as coach of the Chargers despite a 4-12 record.
McCoy says he’s “very thankful for the opportunity to be back.”
John Spanos, grandson of owner Alex Spanos, says in a statement he has “utmost confidence” in McCoy and general manager Tom Telesco.
McCoy even says he’s the right person to lead the Chargers into the Los Angeles area if they’re allowed to leave San Diego after 55 seasons.
Team chairman Dean Spanos wants to partner with the rival Oakland Raiders to build a stadium in Carson.
McCoy is 23-27 in three seasons, including a playoff win and loss in his first season, 2013.
San Diego missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons.
2016 Kansas Shrine Bowl rosters announced
Three area high school seniors have been selected to play in the 2016 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Phillipsburg’s Donovan Lumpkin, Gavin Lively of Norton and Great Bend’s Alex Deist were named to the 43rd annual all-star football game benefitting Shriners hospitals in Kansas.
Phillipsburg head coach J.B. Covington was also named to the West coaching staff on Monday.
Former Hays High and current Holcomb head coach Kent Teeter is also a member of the West coaching staff.
The game will be held Sat. July, 30 at Welch Stadium on Emporia State Campus.
Kickoff will be at 7:00 pm. Tickets and additional information are available at www.kansasshrinebowl.com or by calling 800-530-5524.
East
Cole Baird………….. Silver Lake High
Mason Barta……………… Holton High
Orion Battaglia…St. Marys-Colgan High
Carson Becker……. Rock Creek High
Alex Blake…. Blue Valley North High
Anthony Brown…… Mill Valley High
Connor Byers… Bonner Springs High
Austin Cook…………. Fort Scott High
Dawson Downing… Bishop Miege High
Grant Elston……………… Eudora High
Riley England……. Osawatomie High
Wykeen Gill…………… Atchison High
Jared Green… Shawnee Mission West High
Jeff Gurley…………. Blue Valley High
Paul Holt……………. Burlingame High
Tucker Horak…………. Rossville High
Teven Jenkins……………. Topeka High
Will Jones……. Washburn Rural High
Tom Killilea… St. Thomas Aquinas High
Nick Kirmer……………. Emporia High
Jace McDown……….. Columbus High
Will Mengarelli……….. Pittsburg High
Ryan Menghini……… Frontenac High
Winston Meyer… Nemaha Central High
Jordan Newby….. Topeka West High
Brooks Peavler…………. Hayden High
Zach Schwalm…….. Uniontown High
Patrick Shuler… Mission Valley High
Isaiah Simmons…. Olathe North High
Brady Snider……….. Cherryvale High
Bryce Torneden… Lawrence Free State High
Anders Vance……….. Louisburg High
Chris Winkel………………… Troy High
JD Woods…………….. Lawrence High
Coaches:
Blake Pierce (head)… Topeka Seaman High
Max Cordova…. Lawrence Free State
Travis Thurston… St. Thomas Aquinas High
Dan Grundy…………. Columbus High
Derick Hammes………. Rossville High
Derek Jasper…………………. Troy High
Certified Athletic Trainers:
Curt Sudbeck…………….. St. Benedict
Kaylin Voss………………….. Lawrence
West
Jaden Abernathy………… Buhler High
Jeff Ast……………………. Andale High
Nathan Burgoyne… Wichita Collegiate High
Chase Crawford… Valley Center High
Alex Deist………….. Great Bend High
Cortland Enriquez… Salina Central High
Austin Fletcher……. Hutchinson High
Cooper Griffith…….. Scott City High
Harley Hazlett………….. Abilene High
Brent Huelsmann… Goddard Eisenhower High
Colter Hulling… Kapaum Mt. Carmel High
Noah Johnson…. Bishop Carroll High
Kash Larrabee……………. Meade High
Gavin Lively… Norton Community High
Isaiahh Loudermilk…. West Elk High
Jeremy Luck……… Maize South High
Donovan Lumpkin… Phillipsburg High
Eli McKee……………… Halstead High
Rodney Murphy… Wichita Heights High
Jonah Nowak……. Garden Plain High
Darraja Parnell… Andover Central High
Konnor Penning… Washington County High
Nalen Rincones….. Garden City High
Garrett Roth……………. Hesston High
Ian Rudzik……………….. Ulysses High
Brady Rust………………… Derby High
Noah Schomacker…….. Cheney High
Trey Teeter…………….. Holcomb High
Jake Tiernan……………. Solomon High
Duall Watson… Wichita Northwest High
Logan Weakley……….. Augusta High
Blake Wilson………….. Mulvane High
Raye Wilson…….. Junction City High
Jason Zook……………. Chapman High
Coaches:
Randall Zimmerman (head) Junction City High
Doug Davis……… Junction City High
Marc Marinelli…Goddard Eisenhower High
Kent Teeter……………. Holcomb High
Jason Grider…………… Halstead High
J.B. Covington……. Phillipsburg High
Certified Athletic Trainer:
Morgan Sommers……………. Andover
Eagle wants to put you in the Best Seat in the House for FHSU game!
Eagle Communications wants to put you in the Best Seat in the House.
To enter for a chance to win the Best Seat in the House for Saturday’s game between the Fort Hays State University Tigers and the Southwest Baptist Bearcats, click HERE.
The winner will receive four tickets to the FHSU basketball games, coupons for concession items and a gift from Eagle Communications. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Manning leads Broncos past Chargers
By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer
DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning replaced Brock Osweiler in the third quarter Sunday and led the Broncos a 27-20 win over the San Diego Chargers that clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs for Denver.
Combined with New England’s loss at Miami, the Broncos (12-4) secured the No. 1 seed even as they head into the playoffs with a quarterback quandary on their hands.
The Chargers (4-12) wrapped up what might have been their final season representing San Diego as ownership tries to move the team to L.A.
The Broncos were facing the possibility of tumbling into the wild-card round because of Kansas City’s 10th consecutive win, 23-17 over Oakland, when Manning came to the rescue.
Chiefs beat Raiders to enter playoffs on streak
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes, Kansas City sacked Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr six times, and the Chiefs held on for a 23-17 victory Sunday to give them a franchise-best 10 straight wins entering the postseason.
The Chiefs were awaiting the result of the Denver-San Diego game to learn their playoff fate. If the Broncos win, they’ll head to Houston as the fifth seed. If the Chargers win, the Chiefs win the AFC West for the first time since 2010 and will host Pittsburgh in the first round.
Regardless, the Chiefs (11-5) are somehow in the dance after a 1-5 start.
The Raiders (7-9), who accounted for two of those victories, had the ball with 1:34 left. But Carr was sacked one last time, and the clock expired before they came close to a go-ahead touchdown.
Wichita State rolls over Bradley
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Markis McDuffie scored 14 points, Fred Van Vleet added 13 and Wichita State used a balanced attack to roll over Bradley 85-58 on Sunday.
Wichita State (8-5, 2-0 Missouri Valley) had seven players score between six and 14 points and the Shockers shot over 55 percent (27 of 49) as a team.
Bradley (2-13, 0-2) was led by Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye with nine points. The Braves committed 23 turnovers and made 6 of 22 beyond the arc.
The Shockers made a 12-0 run over 5:04 in the first half to build a 48-24 lead at intermission.
Bradley didn’t score for nearly four minutes to start the second half, turning it over four times in the span, and Wichita State’s lead hit the 30-point mark with 9:47 left on a layup by Eric Hamilton.
Tigers hold off Pitt State for fifth straight win
By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. – Jake Stoppel scored a career-high 24 points to lead Fort Hays State to an 89-78 win over Pittsburg State in front of 2,768 Saturday at Gross Coliseum. Stoppel hit 10 of 15 from the field and was 4 of 5 from the free throw line as the Tigers (10-2, 4-2 MIAA) win their fifth straight overall and fourth straight in conference play.
The Gorillas (7-6, 2-5) have lost five straight after a 7-1 start.
Mark Johnson Postgame Interview
Trey O’Neil Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
Fort Hays State shot 59-percent for the game as they built a 15 point second half lead only to see Pitt State pull within four with 10:25 to play. The Tigers answered with a 9-2 run keyed by a Trey O’Neil 3-pointer to push the lead to 11.
Rob Davis went 8-for-8 from the free throw line and scored 14. Craig Nicholson, playing for the first time in five games since a foot injury, added 12 points and dished out nine assists. O’Neil and Hadley Gillum both scored 10.
The Tigers turned the ball over 19 times, resulting in 23 points for the Gorillas off of turnovers. FHSU won the rebounding battle 35-28 and shot 41-percent from 3-point range and hit 16-of-19 from the free throw line.
Arkansas motors past Kansas State in Liberty Bowl
By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Alex Collins ran for 185 yards and three touchdowns and Arkansas capped its late-season surge with a 45-23 victory over Kansas State on Saturday in the Liberty Bowl.
Ranked 18th to open the season, Arkansas stumbled through a 1-3 start that knocked the Razorbacks out of the Top 25. The Razorbacks (8-5) turned things around won six of their last seven games.
Collins overwhelmed Kansas State’s defense in front of a sellout crowd of 61,136, the fourth-largest crowd in the game’s 57-year history.
Kansas State (6-7) finished a season below .500 for the first time since Bill Snyder began his second stint as coach in 2009.
Arkansas’ Brandon Allen was 20 of 26 for 315 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kansas State’s Kody Cook, starting at quarterback for the first time, went 12 of 24 for 163 yards with a touchdown.