FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball fell 75-67 to Emporia State at home on Saturday (Dec. 10). The Hornets drained 14 3-point field goals and the Tigers shot just 39 percent as a team, creating the perfect recipe for a Hornet win. FHSU moved to 6-4 overall, 2-2 in the MIAA, while ESU moved to 4-6 overall, 1-1 in the MIAA.
Much like the Washburn game on Wednesday, the Tiger opposition shot well over 70 percent from the field in the first 10 minutes of the game. That led to a 13-point lead for ESU at the 9:08 mark. But this time, the Tigers had no big comeback in them. The Hornets led by 10 at halftime and their lead was never trimmed inside double figures in the second half until the final bucket of the game, a 3-pointer by the Tigers just before the final horn. The Hornets led by as many as 24 four times in the second half before the Tigers ended the game on a 12-2 run to cut the final margin to eight.
Emporia State buried 14 3-point field goals, compared to just four by FHSU. The Hornets shot 51.9 percent from beyond the arc, but only 44.6 percent overall. Fort Hays State shot just 35.7 percent from the field in the first half and bumped it up a bit in the second half to finish at 39 percent.
Rob Davis scored over 30 points in a game for the third time this season, finishing with 32. He was 11-of-17 from the field, 2-of-4 beyond the 3-point line, and 8-of-9 at the free-throw line. Aaron Nicholson, Kyler Kinnamon, and Grant Holmes all finished with seven points. Drew Kite led the Tigers in rebounds with nine, while Davis had a team-high three assists.
Brandon Hall led the Hornets in scoring with 18 points. Josh Pedersen and Garin Vandiver provided 13 apiece, each hitting three 3-point field goals.
The Tigers jump back into non-conference play for the remainder of December. FHSU hosts Bethel College on Wednesday (Dec. 14) at 7:30 pm, follows that with an exhibition at Colorado on December 17, then returns home for a game with Kansas Christian on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31).