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MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State men's
basketball team were unable to overcome a cold shooting night in the first half
as they fell 64-60 to Fort Hays State Wednesday night in MIAA action.
Looking to snap a two-game losing streak, the Bearcats fell
to 15-8 on the season and 8-6 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State holds its top spot
in the league at 15-6 overall and 10-4 in league play as the win clinched the
Tigers a berth in next month's MIAA Tournament.
A feverish second half comeback saw the Bearcats erase what
was a 16 point deficit at one time and a 35-21 Fort Hays State lead at the
intermission.
After shooting a disappointing 30 percent from the field in
the first half, Northwest turned the tables to shoot 48 percent in the second
half. The Bearcats used a 13-4 run late in the second half to take their first
lead of the night with 2:15 left in the game.
A deep three-pointer from Alex Sullivan put Northwest ahead
53-51, however the Tigers would answer on their next possession with a
three-pointer of their own to regain the lead. Sullivan hit three,
three-pointers and finished with nine points.
Both teams would trade baskets, when DeAngelo Hailey drove
to the basket drawing a FHSU foul. Hailey hit one of two free-throws to tie the
game at 56-56 with just 46 seconds left in the game.
Northwest was forced to foul as the Tigers finished a
perfect 8-for-8 in the final minute from the free-throw line to seal the win.
On the night FHSU missed just one free-throw going 13-of-14 from the line while
the Bearcats shot 76 percent going 16-of-21.
Dillon Starzl returned to the court after missing last week
due to injury leading the Bearcats with 16 points.
Fort Hays State was led Lance Russell, who scored a
game-high 22 points. Teammate Craig Nicholson finished with 21 points as the
duo combined for six of the Tigers' seven three-pointers.
The Bearcats will look to snap their three-game losing
streak in a rematch of last Saturday's loss at Washburn. The Ichabods clinched
a playoff berth with an overtime win at Missouri Western Wednesday night as
Northwest now sits in sixth place.
Tipoff between the Bearcats and Ichabods is set for 3:30
p.m. from Bearcat Arena.
