Hays, Kan. – The Missouri Southern Men's Basketball team traveled to take on the Fort Hays State University Tigers. Southern jumped out to an early lead against Fort Hays State and held a slim advantage at halftime. The Tigers traded the lead in the second half, and the Lions cut the deficit to six points but fell 70-59.
Missouri Southern (11-14, 6-10 MIAA) vs. Fort Hays State (17-8, 10-6 MIAA)
1st Half: Missouri Southern 33 | Fort Hays State 32
Southern jumped out to a six-point lead behind
Jaden Taylor (two points) and
Tyrone Wright (four points) with 17:28 left in the first half. Fort Hays responded, cutting the deficit to two points at the 15:03 mark, 6-4.
Tyrique Brooks answered with back-to-back three-pointers, extending the Lions' lead to 12-7.
Wright extended the lead with a powerful dunk off an
Isaiah Atwater assist, making it 21-17 with 9:11 remaining.
Tyriqe Jackson followed with a layup at 8:03, pushing the advantage to 24-17. The Tigers responded with back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to three points, but
Martin Macenis halted their momentum with a three-pointer, putting Southern up 27-21. Fort Hays closed the half on a 5-0 run, trimming Southern's lead to 33-32 at the break.
2nd Half: Missouri Southern 59 | Fort Hays State 70
Fort Hays opened the second half with a 7-0 run, taking the lead at 39-33 with 18:45 remaining.
Jaden Taylor answered with two free throws to trim the deficit back to five points at the 16:29 mark. At 12:30,
Martin Macenis pushed the Lions' deficit to ten, 48-38. The Tigers then extended their lead further with a 6-0 run, making it 54-38 with 8:05 left on the clock.
Southern had baskets from Macenis,
Tyrique Brooks, Taylor, and
Tyriqe Jackson throughout the second half. With under five minutes remaining, the Lions went on a 7-0 run, cutting the deficit to 62-53, fueled by Taylor and
Tyrone Wright. Fort Hays maintained their lead and closed out the game with a 70-59 victory.
Missouri Southern Leaders:
Points: Jaden Taylor - 15
Rebounds: Tyrone Wright - 12
Assists: Martin Macenis - 4
Steals: Five Players - 1
Blocks: Tyrone Wright - 3
Fort Hays State Leaders:
Points: Kaleb Hammeke - 26
Rebounds: Kyle Grill - 9
Assists: Lucas Hammeke - 6
Steals: Five Players - 1
Blocks: -
Up Next:
The Lions will be on the road on Saturday, February 22, when they take on the University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers. Tip-off is set for 3:30 PM at the Health and Sports Arena in Kearney, Neb.
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