The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys and girls basketball team split
a Mid-Continent League doubleheader Thursday on the road in Ellis.

The Ellis Lady Railers made their first five three pointers
and used a 20-4 first-half to build a double-digit lead in the and never
trailed the rest of the way in a 52-42 victory of the TMP girls.

TMP’s Claire Schippers scored the games first five points as
the Monarchs (3-6, 2-2 MCL) jumped out to a 7-0 lead but Ellis answered with a 20-4 run
holding TMP scoreless for more than five minutes as they built an nine-point
first-half lead.

Ellis lead by 13 at halftime 31-18 and never trailed, extending
the lead to as much as 15 on their way to the 52-42 victory over TMP.

Brooke Koenigsman led all scorers for TMP with 17 points.

The Monarchs have now lost four straight. They will take on
Russell in the final feather bracket game of the day from the MCL tournament at
the Phillipsburg Auxiliary Gym. You can hear the Monarchs on 103.3 FM.

The TMP boys rallied from down eight in the first half on
their way to a 50-42 victory. The Monarchs were led by Ty Schmeidler who scored
a career-high 23 points with six rebounds. Ian Nehls added 13 points.

Ellis led by six early before TMP closed within one at 9-8
at the end of the first quarter. 

The second quarter, just like the first, say Ellis build a
lead, this time it was an eight-point lead at 19-11 thanks to a 10-3 Railer run.

The Monarchs (3-6, 3-1 MCL) closed the first half on a 6-0 run and took a
20-19 lead on Caden Dinkel three pointer to open the second half but Ellis once
again had an answer extending their lead to 27-24.

With TMP trailing by three Ty Schmeidler and Ian Nehls combined
to score the next 24 points from TMP helping the Monarchs build a 48-38 lead
and they held on for the eight point victory.

Ty Schmeilder scored a career-high 23 points and Ian Nehls
added 13 points for TMP.

TMP will take on Smith Center in the final feather bracket
game of the day from the MCL tournament at the Phillipsburg’s Newlin Gym. You
can hear the Monarchs on 99.5 FM.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys and girls basketball team split
a Mid-Continent League doubleheader Thursday on the road in Ellis.GIRLS: ELLIS 52, TMP 42The Ellis Lady Railers made their first five three pointers
and used a 20-4 first-half to build a double-digit lead in the and never
trailed the rest of the way in a 52-42 victory of the TMP girls.TMP’s Claire Schippers scored the games first five points as
the Monarchs (3-6, 2-2 MCL) jumped out to a 7-0 lead but Ellis answered with a 20-4 run
holding TMP scoreless for more than five minutes as they built an nine-point
first-half lead.Ellis lead by 13 at halftime 31-18 and never trailed, extending
the lead to as much as 15 on their way to the 52-42 victory over TMP.Brooke Koenigsman led all scorers for TMP with 17 points.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715202225&color=%23070774&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-11-24-tmp-girls-vs-ellis-highlights" title="1 - 11 - 24 TMP Girls Vs Ellis HIGHLIGHTS" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 11 - 24 TMP Girls Vs Ellis HIGHLIGHTS</a></div></div>The Monarchs have now lost four straight. They will take on
Russell in the final feather bracket game of the day from the MCL tournament at
the Phillipsburg Auxiliary Gym. You can hear the Monarchs on 103.3 FM.BOYS: TMP 50, 42The TMP boys rallied from down eight in the first half on
their way to a 50-42 victory. The Monarchs were led by Ty Schmeidler who scored
a career-high 23 points with six rebounds. Ian Nehls added 13 points.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715203668&color=%23070774&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-11-24-tmp-boys-coach-postgame-interview" title="1 - 11 - 24 TMP Boys Coach POSTGAME INTERVIEW" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 11 - 24 TMP Boys Coach POSTGAME INTERVIEW</a></div></div>Ellis led by six early before TMP closed within one at 9-8
at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter, just like the first, say Ellis build a
lead, this time it was an eight-point lead at 19-11 thanks to a 10-3 Railer run.The Monarchs (3-6, 3-1 MCL) closed the first half on a 6-0 run and took a
20-19 lead on Caden Dinkel three pointer to open the second half but Ellis once
again had an answer extending their lead to 27-24.With TMP trailing by three Ty Schmeidler and Ian Nehls combined
to score the next 24 points from TMP helping the Monarchs build a 48-38 lead
and they held on for the eight point victory.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715202645&color=%23070774&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-11-24-tmp-boys-vs-ellis-highlights" title="1 - 11 - 24 TMP Boys Vs Ellis HIGHLIGHTS" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 11 - 24 TMP Boys Vs Ellis HIGHLIGHTS</a></div></div>Ty Schmeilder scored a career-high 23 points and Ian Nehls
added 13 points for TMP.TMP will take on Smith Center in the final feather bracket
game of the day from the MCL tournament at the Phillipsburg’s Newlin Gym. You
can hear the Monarchs on 99.5 FM.

🏀TMP splits doubleheader at Ellis

By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays Post

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/missouri-southern/boxscore/12757">BOX SCORE</a>

JOPLIN, Mo. - Elijah Nnanabu scored a career-high 31 points, Kaleb Hammeke added 22 and the Fort Hays State men's basketball team erased an early 14-point deficit and beat Missouri Southern State 85-67 Thursday night at the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center.

It's the second-straight season the Tigers (12-7, 7-2 MIAA) have had a player score over points in Joplin after Hammke went for a then career-high 35 last season.

MSSU (5-9, 3-5 MIAA) connected on 10 of their first 11 shots shots and built 26-12 lead on a Darius Dawson free throw with 11:01 to play in the first half but the Tigers held them to 3-of-17 shooting the rest of the half in building a 38-34 lead at the break.

Jahiem Holden hit a three which sparked a 16-2 run. Kaleb Hammeke scored on a fast break layup to the tie the game 28-28 with 6:28 to play in the half. Lawson Jenkins hit a three to put the Lions back up three but FHSU outscored them 10-3 to close out the half and would never trail again.

FHSYU outscored the Lions 12-2 over the first 2:49 of the second half to push the lead to 14. It would grow to 22 before MSSU crawled back within 14 with 9:15 to play. The Tigers answered with a 12-1 run to go up 25 on a Holden three with 4:51 to play.

The Lions would hit threes on five of their next six possessions but never got closer than the final 18-point margin.

Nnanabu went 12-of-18 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free throw line and added seen rebounds. Hammeke finished 8-of-14 from the floor which included 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and dished out eight assists. Shaun Riley scored seven pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

The LIons were led by Sam Thompson who scored 12, six of them came in the first two and a half minutes.

FHSU shot 56-percent for the game and were 7-of-16 from three and 12-for-12 from the foul line.

Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend Saturday at Pittsburg State. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705035604929.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State guard Elijah Nnanabu (0) attempts a shot over Newman's Latik Murphy (3) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Wichita. Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State guard Elijah Nnanabu (0) attempts a shot over Newman's Latik Murphy (3) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Wichita. Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays Post<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/missouri-southern/boxscore/12757">BOX SCORE</a>JOPLIN, Mo. - Elijah Nnanabu scored a career-high 31 points, Kaleb Hammeke added 22 and the Fort Hays State men's basketball team erased an early 14-point deficit and beat Missouri Southern State 85-67 Thursday night at the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center.It's the second-straight season the Tigers (12-7, 7-2 MIAA) have had a player score over points in Joplin after Hammke went for a then career-high 35 last season.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715194668&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-coach-johnson-v-miss-s-state-interview-jan-11th-2024" title="Mark Johnson Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)</a></div></div>MSSU (5-9, 3-5 MIAA) connected on 10 of their first 11 shots shots and built 26-12 lead on a Darius Dawson free throw with 11:01 to play in the first half but the Tigers held them to 3-of-17 shooting the rest of the half in building a 38-34 lead at the break.Jahiem Holden hit a three which sparked a 16-2 run. Kaleb Hammeke scored on a fast break layup to the tie the game 28-28 with 6:28 to play in the half. Lawson Jenkins hit a three to put the Lions back up three but FHSU outscored them 10-3 to close out the half and would never trail again.FHSYU outscored the Lions 12-2 over the first 2:49 of the second half to push the lead to 14. It would grow to 22 before MSSU crawled back within 14 with 9:15 to play. The Tigers answered with a 12-1 run to go up 25 on a Holden three with 4:51 to play.The Lions would hit threes on five of their next six possessions but never got closer than the final 18-point margin.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715198820&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-v-miss-s-state-highlights-jan-11th-2024" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)</a></div></div>Nnanabu went 12-of-18 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free throw line and added seen rebounds. Hammeke finished 8-of-14 from the floor which included 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and dished out eight assists. Shaun Riley scored seven pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.The LIons were led by Sam Thompson who scored 12, six of them came in the first two and a half minutes.FHSU shot 56-percent for the game and were 7-of-16 from three and 12-for-12 from the foul line.Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend Saturday at Pittsburg State. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

🏀 Nnanabu career night leads Tigers to road win over MSSU

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/missouri-southern/boxscore/12788">BOX SCORE</a>

JOPLIN, Mo. - The No. 15 Fort Hays State women's basketball was held scoreless for over nine minutes over the second and third quarters and lost 67-58 to Missouri Southern Thursday night at the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Complex. The Tigers (12-3, 6-3 MIAA) entered the game as one of 10 NCAA Division II teams that had not lost away from home. The Lions (10-4, 6-2 MIAA) extended their MIAA-best winning streak to seven games.

The teams went back-and-forth in the first quarter with FHSU building a four point lead before settling for a 15-13 lead at the quarter break. Kate Wagner banked in a 3-pointer with 7:39 to play in the second to put the Tigers up 21-8, it was the last points they would score in the half. Missouri Southern went on a 22-0 run to take a commanding 40-21 lead early in the third quarter.

The Tigers missed 10-consecutive shots and turned the ball over four times while the Lions hit 9-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe during the run.

After falling behind by 22 early in the fourth quarter, Fort Hays State scored 12-straight highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Brooke Loewe and&nbsp;Wagner to pull within 10 with&nbsp; six-plus minutes remaining. Following a MSSU timeout, the Lions responded by scoring the next seven points. 

The Tigers held Missouri Southern scoreless for the final 4:55, but the Tigers were unable to draw any closer than the final nine-point margin.

Wagner led the Tigers with 15 points thanks to a career-high three 3-pointers alongside eight rebounds and three steals. Olivia Hollenbeck added 11 points and two blocks, while Sydney Golladay&nbsp;scored 10 points and dished out three assists. Loewe scored eight points off the bench and distributed a team-best four assists.

Missouri Southern hit 50 percent from the floor (30-of-60) while the Tigers countered with a shooting percentage of 37.5 percent (21-of-56). However, Fort Hays State hit five more 3-pointers than the Lions, 8-3.

Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend Saturday with a top-25 battle against No. 20 Pittsburg State. First tip in Pittsburg, Kan. is slated for 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

FHSU Sports Information contributed to this story

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705032754369.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State guard Sydney Golladay (3) drives to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Newman on Sunday, December 17, 2024 in Wichita, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State guard Sydney Golladay (3) drives to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Newman on Sunday, December 17, 2024 in Wichita, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays Post<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/missouri-southern/boxscore/12788">BOX SCORE</a>JOPLIN, Mo. - The No. 15 Fort Hays State women's basketball was held scoreless for over nine minutes over the second and third quarters and lost 67-58 to Missouri Southern Thursday night at the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Complex. The Tigers (12-3, 6-3 MIAA) entered the game as one of 10 NCAA Division II teams that had not lost away from home. The Lions (10-4, 6-2 MIAA) extended their MIAA-best winning streak to seven games.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715119941&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-coach-kars-v-miss-s-state-interview-jan-11th-2024" title="Talia Kahrs Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Talia Kahrs Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)</a></div></div>The teams went back-and-forth in the first quarter with FHSU building a four point lead before settling for a 15-13 lead at the quarter break. Kate Wagner banked in a 3-pointer with 7:39 to play in the second to put the Tigers up 21-8, it was the last points they would score in the half. Missouri Southern went on a 22-0 run to take a commanding 40-21 lead early in the third quarter.The Tigers missed 10-consecutive shots and turned the ball over four times while the Lions hit 9-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe during the run.After falling behind by 22 early in the fourth quarter, Fort Hays State scored 12-straight highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Brooke Loewe and&nbsp;Wagner to pull within 10 with&nbsp; six-plus minutes remaining. Following a MSSU timeout, the Lions responded by scoring the next seven points. The Tigers held Missouri Southern scoreless for the final 4:55, but the Tigers were unable to draw any closer than the final nine-point margin.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1715112756&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-v-miss-s-state-highlights-jan-11th-2024" title="Fort Hays State WBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State WBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Jan. 11, 2024)</a></div></div>Wagner led the Tigers with 15 points thanks to a career-high three 3-pointers alongside eight rebounds and three steals. Olivia Hollenbeck added 11 points and two blocks, while Sydney Golladay&nbsp;scored 10 points and dished out three assists. Loewe scored eight points off the bench and distributed a team-best four assists.Missouri Southern hit 50 percent from the floor (30-of-60) while the Tigers countered with a shooting percentage of 37.5 percent (21-of-56). However, Fort Hays State hit five more 3-pointers than the Lions, 8-3.Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend Saturday with a top-25 battle against No. 20 Pittsburg State. First tip in Pittsburg, Kan. is slated for 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Sports Information contributed to this story

🏀 Big second quarter run leads MSSU past 15th-ranked Tigers

Fort Hays State (11-3, 6-2 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (5-8, 3-4 MIAA) Thursday, January 11 • 7:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. • Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;The MIAA Network&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The Fort Hays State men's basketball team plays the first of three straight road games on Thursday night at Missouri Southern. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Leggett and Platt Center in Joplin. FHSU enters the game at 11-3 overall, 6-2 in the MIAA, while MSSU enters at 5-8 overall, 3-4 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State holds a 37-23 advantage in the all-time series between the teams. FHSU and MSSU split its regular season series last year with each team winning on the road. Missouri Southern won the first meeting in Hays 68-56 before Fort Hays State won the second meeting in Joplin 84-70. FHSU has won four of the last five games in the series.

The Tigers enter this contest riding a three-game win streak, all in MIAA play. FHSU won both of its home games last week in MIAA play against Central Missouri and Lincoln. The Lions are coming off an 81-74 win at Pittsburg State this past Saturday and have won three of their last four games.

Fort Hays State owns the top scoring defense in NCAA Division II at 57.1 points allowed per game. The Tigers have held opponents to 60 points or less in nine of 14 games this season. In the last five meetings between FHSU and MSSU in Joplin, Missouri Southern has scored at least 70 points. The last time FHSU held MSSU inside of 70 at the Leggett and Platt Center was in 2014 when FHSU won 76-67. Even though the Tigers have allowed 70 or more to the Lions in the last five meetings in Joplin, the Tigers have gone 3-2 in that stretch by averaging 83.6 points per game, scoring at least 80 in four of those five contests.

Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;leads the Tigers at 14.8 points and 3.8 assists per game. He has scored at least 17 points in each of the last four games, including 24 against Lincoln this past Saturday. Hammeke is averaging 15.6 points in MIAA games. Bjarni Jonsson&nbsp;is coming off a career-high 18 points against Lincoln, when he hit a new career-high four 3-point field goals in the game. Shaun Riley&nbsp;is the top scorer off the bench for FHSU at 8.9 points per game. He has scored in double figures in six of his last eight games.

Darius Dawson leads Missouri Southern at 13.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. He is also the team leader in blocked shots with 16. Cam Williams and Vinson Sigmon Jr. also average double figures in scoring for the Lions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704939651375.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (11-3, 6-2 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (5-8, 3-4 MIAA) Thursday, January 11 • 7:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. • Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic CenterRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;The MIAA Network&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>The Fort Hays State men's basketball team plays the first of three straight road games on Thursday night at Missouri Southern. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Leggett and Platt Center in Joplin. FHSU enters the game at 11-3 overall, 6-2 in the MIAA, while MSSU enters at 5-8 overall, 3-4 in the MIAA.Fort Hays State holds a 37-23 advantage in the all-time series between the teams. FHSU and MSSU split its regular season series last year with each team winning on the road. Missouri Southern won the first meeting in Hays 68-56 before Fort Hays State won the second meeting in Joplin 84-70. FHSU has won four of the last five games in the series.The Tigers enter this contest riding a three-game win streak, all in MIAA play. FHSU won both of its home games last week in MIAA play against Central Missouri and Lincoln. The Lions are coming off an 81-74 win at Pittsburg State this past Saturday and have won three of their last four games.Fort Hays State owns the top scoring defense in NCAA Division II at 57.1 points allowed per game. The Tigers have held opponents to 60 points or less in nine of 14 games this season. In the last five meetings between FHSU and MSSU in Joplin, Missouri Southern has scored at least 70 points. The last time FHSU held MSSU inside of 70 at the Leggett and Platt Center was in 2014 when FHSU won 76-67. Even though the Tigers have allowed 70 or more to the Lions in the last five meetings in Joplin, the Tigers have gone 3-2 in that stretch by averaging 83.6 points per game, scoring at least 80 in four of those five contests.Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;leads the Tigers at 14.8 points and 3.8 assists per game. He has scored at least 17 points in each of the last four games, including 24 against Lincoln this past Saturday. Hammeke is averaging 15.6 points in MIAA games. Bjarni Jonsson&nbsp;is coming off a career-high 18 points against Lincoln, when he hit a new career-high four 3-point field goals in the game. Shaun Riley&nbsp;is the top scorer off the bench for FHSU at 8.9 points per game. He has scored in double figures in six of his last eight games.Darius Dawson leads Missouri Southern at 13.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. He is also the team leader in blocked shots with 16. Cam Williams and Vinson Sigmon Jr. also average double figures in scoring for the Lions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🎧 LISTEN - Tigers open 3-game road trip Thursday at Missouri Southern

TMP-Marian at Ellis Thursday, Jan. 11 – 6 p.m. Ellis, Kan. - Ellis High School

Radio: KFIX (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN </a>Video: TMP-Marian Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/893981">CLICK HERE TO WATCH
($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs return to league play Thursday night as they travel to Ellis for a matchup with their rivals Ellis Railroaders.

&nbsp;The Monarch girls are 3-5
and trying to end a three-game losing streak after a loss to Sacred Heart last
Friday. The Ellis girls 5-3 and have won four of their last six.

The Ellis boys are 3-5 and have won two straight while the
TMP boys are 2-6.

Tipoff of the girls game is set for 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at Al Billinger Fieldhouse. Live coverage includes The TMP-Marian Sports Network and Eagle Radio.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575411582384.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-Marian at Ellis Thursday, Jan. 11 – 6 p.m. Ellis, Kan. - Ellis High SchoolRadio: KFIX (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN </a>Video: TMP-Marian Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/893981">CLICK HERE TO WATCH
($)</a>The TMP-Marian Monarchs return to league play Thursday night as they travel to Ellis for a matchup with their rivals Ellis Railroaders.&nbsp;The Monarch girls are 3-5
and trying to end a three-game losing streak after a loss to Sacred Heart last
Friday. The Ellis girls 5-3 and have won four of their last six.The Ellis boys are 3-5 and have won two straight while the
TMP boys are 2-6.Tipoff of the girls game is set for 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at Al Billinger Fieldhouse. Live coverage includes The TMP-Marian Sports Network and Eagle Radio.

🏀🎥 TMP travels to Ellis for rivalry game with Railers

No. 15 Fort Hays State (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (9-4, 5-2 MIAA) Thursday, January 11 • 5:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. • Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 15th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens a three-game road trip Thursday when they take on Missouri Southern. Tipoff from the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center in Joplin, Mo. is slated for 5:30 p.m.

The Tigers (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) are undefeated away from home this season (5-0 road, 3-0 neutral), making FHSU one of 10 Division II schools without a loss away from home this year. This is MSSU's (9-4, 5-2 MIAA) third home game on the year, with the Lions going 2-0 at home so far this season.

Katie Wagner&nbsp;continues to lead the team in both scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg), with the junior ranking in the top five in the MIAA in both categories. Her six double-doubles are second-most in the MIAA and 12th-most in Division II.

Sydney Golladay&nbsp;distributed a career-best nine assists in the win over Lincoln on Saturday, sixth-most by an MIAA student-athlete in a single game this season. The point guard now ranks 10th in the conference with an average of 3.0 assists per game, with Brooke Loewe&nbsp;close behind in 12th with 2.9 assists per game.

Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;added a pair of blocks in the win over the Blue Tigers, her sixth game this season with multiple blocks. She now ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per game (1.4) and moved up to third on the all-time career blocks list at FHSU with 143.

The Tigers came up on the losing end of a back-and-forth affair in the most recent meeting with the Lions, falling at Missouri Southern by three, 61-58 (2/18/23). The Tigers trailed by eight early on but scored 10 in a row spanning halftime to take the lead. Wagner tallied her second double-double of the weekend, recording 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Fort Hays State is 38-20 all-time against the Lions, while MSSU leads in Joplin, 15-10. The Tigers have won nine of the last 11 meetings and 14 of the last 17 going back to 2014. The teams have split the last eight games played in Joplin, with each side winning four games inside the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center since 2011.

Wagner averages 10.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in six career games against the Lions, including two games with 10-plus points and one double-double. Hollenbeck averages 9.2 points in six games against MSSU, including three games scoring 10 or more points and one 20-point performance as a true freshman. Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;scored a career-high 16 points in a home win over the No. 11 Lions last season on 6-of-10 shooting (1/5/23). Brooke Loewe&nbsp;and Ellie Stearns&nbsp;both scored in double figures once against the Lions last season.

Missouri Southern opened the season 3-4 but has won six consecutive games since, including three wins over ranked opponents. Thursday's contest is just the third home game for the Lions this year, where they are 2-0 with an average margin of victory of 31. Four Lions average in double figures, led by Kryslyn Jones with 12.4 ppg. The Lions rank sixth in the country and lead the MIAA in free-throw shooting, hitting 79.4 percent from the stripe, while ranking second in the league and 13th nationally with a 3-point shooting percentage of 36.8 percent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704940138971.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsNo. 15 Fort Hays State (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (9-4, 5-2 MIAA) Thursday, January 11 • 5:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. • Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center&nbsp;&nbsp;Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;The MIAA Network&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>The 15th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens a three-game road trip Thursday when they take on Missouri Southern. Tipoff from the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center in Joplin, Mo. is slated for 5:30 p.m.The Tigers (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) are undefeated away from home this season (5-0 road, 3-0 neutral), making FHSU one of 10 Division II schools without a loss away from home this year. This is MSSU's (9-4, 5-2 MIAA) third home game on the year, with the Lions going 2-0 at home so far this season.Katie Wagner&nbsp;continues to lead the team in both scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg), with the junior ranking in the top five in the MIAA in both categories. Her six double-doubles are second-most in the MIAA and 12th-most in Division II.Sydney Golladay&nbsp;distributed a career-best nine assists in the win over Lincoln on Saturday, sixth-most by an MIAA student-athlete in a single game this season. The point guard now ranks 10th in the conference with an average of 3.0 assists per game, with Brooke Loewe&nbsp;close behind in 12th with 2.9 assists per game.Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;added a pair of blocks in the win over the Blue Tigers, her sixth game this season with multiple blocks. She now ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per game (1.4) and moved up to third on the all-time career blocks list at FHSU with 143.The Tigers came up on the losing end of a back-and-forth affair in the most recent meeting with the Lions, falling at Missouri Southern by three, 61-58 (2/18/23). The Tigers trailed by eight early on but scored 10 in a row spanning halftime to take the lead. Wagner tallied her second double-double of the weekend, recording 18 points and 11 rebounds.Fort Hays State is 38-20 all-time against the Lions, while MSSU leads in Joplin, 15-10. The Tigers have won nine of the last 11 meetings and 14 of the last 17 going back to 2014. The teams have split the last eight games played in Joplin, with each side winning four games inside the Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center since 2011.Wagner averages 10.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in six career games against the Lions, including two games with 10-plus points and one double-double. Hollenbeck averages 9.2 points in six games against MSSU, including three games scoring 10 or more points and one 20-point performance as a true freshman. Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;scored a career-high 16 points in a home win over the No. 11 Lions last season on 6-of-10 shooting (1/5/23). Brooke Loewe&nbsp;and Ellie Stearns&nbsp;both scored in double figures once against the Lions last season.Missouri Southern opened the season 3-4 but has won six consecutive games since, including three wins over ranked opponents. Thursday's contest is just the third home game for the Lions this year, where they are 2-0 with an average margin of victory of 31. Four Lions average in double figures, led by Kryslyn Jones with 12.4 ppg. The Lions rank sixth in the country and lead the MIAA in free-throw shooting, hitting 79.4 percent from the stripe, while ranking second in the league and 13th nationally with a 3-point shooting percentage of 36.8 percent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🎧 LISTEN - FHSU women in Joplin for key MIAA game vs. Missouri Southern

By PHILIP ROSSMAN-REICH Associated Press

ORLANDO, FL (AP) — Jaylin Seller scored 18 points, Darius Johnson added 17 and UCF erased a 16-point deficit to beat No. 3 Kansas 65-60 on Wednesday night.

UCF's victory came one night after No. 1 Purdue and second-ranked Houston lost.

Ibrahima Diallo broke a 57-57 tie with less than three minutes left with a hook shot over Jayhawks (13-2, 1-1 Big 12) star Hunter Dickinson. He then blocked a KJ Adams Jr. shot with 50 seconds left to help the Knights (10-4, 1-1) preserve the lead and score the program's first Big 12 conference win.

Diallo had 13 points, five rebounds and a block to help anchor a UCF defense that forced eight turnovers and blocked four shots in the second half alone.

Kansas had 18 turnovers. The UCF center triad of Ibrahima Diallo, C.J. Walker and Omar Payne recorded five of the team's seven blocks in the game.

Kevin McCullar Jr. scored 16 points to lead Kansas. Dickinson had only 12 points and played 28 minutes because of foul trouble.

UCF used a 9-0 run in the second half during that time to take the lead for the first time since it was 7-5 early in the game thanks to a series of shots from Johnson and Sellers.

That duo combined to make 7 of 13 3-pointers for the game and three of four in the second half.

The Jayhawks got the Knights down by double-digits in the first half but could not figure out UCF's length in the second half, scoring only 23 points and shooting 7-for-22 shooting in the second half.

Kansas was in a position to claim the top spot in next week's poll after the losses by the top two teams. But the Jayhawks have not looked dominant in conference play, winning their first Big 12 game at home against TCU by just two points before falling to UCF.

UCF picked up its first Big 12 win in its inaugural season in the conference, leading to fans storming the court in celebration after the victory.

Kansas will get a chance to recover when they host No. 9 Oklahoma on Saturday.

UCF's gauntlet to start its inaugural Big 12 season continues Saturday when the team hosts No. 18 BYU in Orlando.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704942460907.jpeg" alt="Central Florida forward C.J. Walker, front left, grabs the ball from Kansas forward K.J. Adams Jr. as he falls backward during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)" />
 <figcaption>Central Florida forward C.J. Walker, front left, grabs the ball from Kansas forward K.J. Adams Jr. as he falls backward during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PHILIP ROSSMAN-REICH Associated PressORLANDO, FL (AP) — Jaylin Seller scored 18 points, Darius Johnson added 17 and UCF erased a 16-point deficit to beat No. 3 Kansas 65-60 on Wednesday night.UCF's victory came one night after No. 1 Purdue and second-ranked Houston lost.Ibrahima Diallo broke a 57-57 tie with less than three minutes left with a hook shot over Jayhawks (13-2, 1-1 Big 12) star Hunter Dickinson. He then blocked a KJ Adams Jr. shot with 50 seconds left to help the Knights (10-4, 1-1) preserve the lead and score the program's first Big 12 conference win.Diallo had 13 points, five rebounds and a block to help anchor a UCF defense that forced eight turnovers and blocked four shots in the second half alone.Kansas had 18 turnovers. The UCF center triad of Ibrahima Diallo, C.J. Walker and Omar Payne recorded five of the team's seven blocks in the game.Kevin McCullar Jr. scored 16 points to lead Kansas. Dickinson had only 12 points and played 28 minutes because of foul trouble.UCF used a 9-0 run in the second half during that time to take the lead for the first time since it was 7-5 early in the game thanks to a series of shots from Johnson and Sellers.That duo combined to make 7 of 13 3-pointers for the game and three of four in the second half.The Jayhawks got the Knights down by double-digits in the first half but could not figure out UCF's length in the second half, scoring only 23 points and shooting 7-for-22 shooting in the second half.BIG PICTUREKansas was in a position to claim the top spot in next week's poll after the losses by the top two teams. But the Jayhawks have not looked dominant in conference play, winning their first Big 12 game at home against TCU by just two points before falling to UCF.UCF picked up its first Big 12 win in its inaugural season in the conference, leading to fans storming the court in celebration after the victory.UP NEXTKansas will get a chance to recover when they host No. 9 Oklahoma on Saturday.UCF's gauntlet to start its inaugural Big 12 season continues Saturday when the team hosts No. 18 BYU in Orlando.

🏀 Jayhawks squander double-digit lead, lose at UCF

TUSCALOOSA (AP) —Nick Saban, the stern coach who won seven national championships and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse that included six of those titles in just 17 seasons, is retiring, according to multiple reports.

The 72-year-old Saban restored a Crimson Tide program once ruled by Paul “Bear” Bryant to the top of college football after taking over in 2007. His decision to step away was reported Wednesday, first by ESPN and then by other outlets.

Saban led the Crimson Tide from a shaky start this season to a Southeastern Conference championship and back into the College Football Playoff before falling to Michigan in a semifinal game at the Rose Bowl.

Saban led the Tide to nine Southeastern Conference championships and won his first national title at Alabama with a 14-0 season in 2009. Titles came again in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020. Alabama was always a contender but had fallen short of the title since then.

Saban is famed for his sideline scowl and fiery demeanor -- and for winning. Saban has won more national titles than any other major college coach.

He made a two-year foray into the NFL with the Miami Dolphins before returning to college football to revive one of college football’s most storied programs, which hadn’t won a national title in 15 years. Saban is 297-71-1 as a college head coach, with stops at Toledo, Michigan State and LSU, where he also won a national title. But Alabama is where he cemented his status as one of college football's greatest coaches.

His latest team dealt with plenty of adversity early on, including a loss to Texas, but rebounded with the emergence of quarterback Jalen Milroe to upset then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Saban didn’t sound like a coach looking to give up the job any time soon after the game. But it wasn't a bad way to go, even without the title.

“This is one of the most amazing seasons in Alabama football history in terms of where this team came from, what they were able to accomplish and what they were able to do, winning the SEC Championship, and really, really proud of this group,” he said.

“I just wish that I could have done more as a coach to help them be successful and help them finish, and all we can do now is learn from the lessons that sometimes failings bring to us.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704928166083.png" alt="Nick Saban photo courtesy University of Alabama Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Nick Saban photo courtesy University of Alabama Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>TUSCALOOSA (AP) —Nick Saban, the stern coach who won seven national championships and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse that included six of those titles in just 17 seasons, is retiring, according to multiple reports.The 72-year-old Saban restored a Crimson Tide program once ruled by Paul “Bear” Bryant to the top of college football after taking over in 2007. His decision to step away was reported Wednesday, first by ESPN and then by other outlets.Saban led the Crimson Tide from a shaky start this season to a Southeastern Conference championship and back into the College Football Playoff before falling to Michigan in a semifinal game at the Rose Bowl.Saban led the Tide to nine Southeastern Conference championships and won his first national title at Alabama with a 14-0 season in 2009. Titles came again in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020. Alabama was always a contender but had fallen short of the title since then.Saban is famed for his sideline scowl and fiery demeanor -- and for winning. Saban has won more national titles than any other major college coach.He made a two-year foray into the NFL with the Miami Dolphins before returning to college football to revive one of college football’s most storied programs, which hadn’t won a national title in 15 years. Saban is 297-71-1 as a college head coach, with stops at Toledo, Michigan State and LSU, where he also won a national title. But Alabama is where he cemented his status as one of college football's greatest coaches.His latest team dealt with plenty of adversity early on, including a loss to Texas, but rebounded with the emergence of quarterback Jalen Milroe to upset then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.Saban didn’t sound like a coach looking to give up the job any time soon after the game. But it wasn't a bad way to go, even without the title.“This is one of the most amazing seasons in Alabama football history in terms of where this team came from, what they were able to accomplish and what they were able to do, winning the SEC Championship, and really, really proud of this group,” he said.“I just wish that I could have done more as a coach to help them be successful and help them finish, and all we can do now is learn from the lessons that sometimes failings bring to us.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban retiring after winning 7 national titles

Brackets for the 2024 Mid-Continent League Basketball Tournament have been released.

The tournament will begin with first-round games on Saturday, January 13 in Phillipsburg. The quarterfinals are on Monday, January&nbsp; 15 and Tuesday, January 16 with the higher seeds hosting. 

The TMP-Marian boys are the nine seed and will play Smith Center at Chuck Newlin gym in Phillipsburg around 6:00 p.m..

The TMP-Marian girls are the eight seed and will play play Russell on Saturday, January 13 at the Phillipsburg auxiliary gym at around 6:00 p.m.

<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12ORVi9pS6meNtGnzDrR-RQ2NJmUgAs4JD-OxO3zQncw/edit#gid=1745806453">2024 Mid-Continent League Tournament Brackets</a>

Brackets for the 2024 Mid-Continent League Basketball Tournament have been released.The tournament will begin with first-round games on Saturday, January 13 in Phillipsburg. The quarterfinals are on Monday, January&nbsp; 15 and Tuesday, January 16 with the higher seeds hosting. The TMP-Marian boys are the nine seed and will play Smith Center at Chuck Newlin gym in Phillipsburg around 6:00 p.m..The TMP-Marian girls are the eight seed and will play play Russell on Saturday, January 13 at the Phillipsburg auxiliary gym at around 6:00 p.m.<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12ORVi9pS6meNtGnzDrR-RQ2NJmUgAs4JD-OxO3zQncw/edit#gid=1745806453">2024 Mid-Continent League Tournament Brackets</a>

🏀 Brackets for 2024 Mid-Continent League Tournament are released

The Kansas Wesleyan basketball teams will make their first out-of-state trip of the conference slate as they head north to York Nebraska to take on the Panthers on KINA.

Women's Game: Kansas Wesleyan (6-8, 4-4), York (3-9, 2-6)

The Coyotes have won each of the last six and nine of the last 10 against York. They won 81-75 last January at York and 70-34 last February in Mabee Arena. KWU has a 16-3 record against York since 2005.

The Panthers have lost their last three games and seven of their last eight, the latest a 92-59 setback against Friends on Saturday in Wichita. They lost to Bethel 89-67 last Wednesday in North Newton. 

York averages 65.5 points and is shooting 39 percent overall, 27 percent from long range. Opponents average 77.6 points and are shooting 45 percent.

Junior guard Ashley Rubio averages a team-best 8.7 points followed by junior forward Britney Schroer at 8.6 points and sophomore post Destiny Shepherd 8.3.

Men's Game: Kansas Wesleyan (10-4, 7-1), York (6-8, 4-4)

The Coyotes have won the last six games against York. They won 80-78 last January in York, Nebraska then prevailed 104-86 in February in Mabee Arena. KWU trails 12-9 in the series since 2009.

The Panthers have won their last two games, both on the road. They defeated Bethel 82-79 last Wednesday in North Newton and toppled Friends 90-84 Saturday in Wichita. 

York had lost four of five before the two victories. They led Bethel 45-21 at halftime before the Threshers rallied in the second half.

Junior guard Jaden Henderson is the leading scorer at 12.9 points. He had 25 against Friends and 18 against Bethel. Junior forward Trevon Dennis averages 12.2 and senior guard Dwight Gover 10.0. 

York averages 76 points and allows 78. The Panthers are shooting 44 percent, 36.5 percent from the 3-point line.

The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan. 

Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary. 

Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Salina Post. The online stream is also available at&nbsp;910KINA.com. 

Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 4:30 on Wednesday.

The Kansas Wesleyan basketball teams will make their first out-of-state trip of the conference slate as they head north to York Nebraska to take on the Panthers on KINA.Women's Game: Kansas Wesleyan (6-8, 4-4), York (3-9, 2-6)The Coyotes have won each of the last six and nine of the last 10 against York. They won 81-75 last January at York and 70-34 last February in Mabee Arena. KWU has a 16-3 record against York since 2005.The Panthers have lost their last three games and seven of their last eight, the latest a 92-59 setback against Friends on Saturday in Wichita. They lost to Bethel 89-67 last Wednesday in North Newton. York averages 65.5 points and is shooting 39 percent overall, 27 percent from long range. Opponents average 77.6 points and are shooting 45 percent.Junior guard Ashley Rubio averages a team-best 8.7 points followed by junior forward Britney Schroer at 8.6 points and sophomore post Destiny Shepherd 8.3.Men's Game: Kansas Wesleyan (10-4, 7-1), York (6-8, 4-4)The Coyotes have won the last six games against York. They won 80-78 last January in York, Nebraska then prevailed 104-86 in February in Mabee Arena. KWU trails 12-9 in the series since 2009.The Panthers have won their last two games, both on the road. They defeated Bethel 82-79 last Wednesday in North Newton and toppled Friends 90-84 Saturday in Wichita. York had lost four of five before the two victories. They led Bethel 45-21 at halftime before the Threshers rallied in the second half.Junior guard Jaden Henderson is the leading scorer at 12.9 points. He had 25 against Friends and 18 against Bethel. Junior forward Trevon Dennis averages 12.2 and senior guard Dwight Gover 10.0. York averages 76 points and allows 78. The Panthers are shooting 44 percent, 36.5 percent from the 3-point line.LIVE COVERAGEThe video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan. Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary. Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Salina Post. The online stream is also available at&nbsp;910KINA.com. Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 4:30 on Wednesday.

Coyotes Travel to Nebraska to Tangle With York

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;– The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announces an innovative plan to pilot test instant replay technology during the upcoming baseball and softball seasons.

In the fall of 2023, the MIAA’s Athletics Administrators Committee (AAC) agreed to implement a pilot program for regular season MIAA baseball and softball contests to test instant replay technology in 2024. Using all the applicable replay rules approved by the NCAA Baseball and Softball Rules Committee, the&nbsp;league will begin pilot testing instant replay this spring.&nbsp;

MIAA institutions that will be testing instant replay for the sport of baseball are the University of Central Missouri, Missouri Western State University and Pittsburg State University. The University of Central Oklahoma, Rogers State University and the University of Nebraska Kearney will test instant replay in the sport of softball.

The Association’s Supervisor for Umpires in both baseball and softball have worked with the conference office to develop the MIAA replay policies and procedures for each sport.

“I applaud the MIAA in implementing this cutting-edge technology and look forward to working with them this upcoming year,” said Chris Coskey, MIAA Supervisor of Baseball Umpires.

“Implementing a pilot instant replay program in the MIAA could significantly enhance the accuracy of critical calls during games, and ultimately, could positively impact the sport's integrity, competitiveness, and appeal, benefiting both players, teams, umpires and the broader Division II baseball community.”

The results from the pilot test sites will be analyzed by MIAA coaches and administrators this summer to determine the possibility of welcoming the full implementation of instant replay technology at all campuses for the 2025 spring MIAA baseball and softball seasons.

The selected MIAA pilot test campuses will use the same SkyCoach Instant Replay system that the Association has used in the sport of football for the past two seasons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myskycoach.com/" target="_blank">SkyCoach</a>&nbsp;requires no computer monitors – the technology taps into cameras already being used for game broadcasts – and does not require a replay booth. MIAA umpires will have instantaneous access to plays for review on an iPad through the SkyCoach app.

"I’m very excited for the introduction of video review in MIAA softball to further the quality of play for the student-athletes,” stated Austin Mezzacasa, MIAA Supervisor of Softball Umpires. “From an officiating standpoint, this will allow the league’s umpire staff further resources to make sure we are getting calls correct and allow officials to progress their games in a new skill set.”

“The MIAA continues to raise the bar for officiating practices in NCAA Division II and I am thrilled to aid in these goals."

Instant replay technology will also be used at the 2024 MIAA Baseball and Softball Championship sites. The upcoming baseball and softball seasons are scheduled to begin February 1-3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593175629148.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The MIAAKANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;– The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announces an innovative plan to pilot test instant replay technology during the upcoming baseball and softball seasons.In the fall of 2023, the MIAA’s Athletics Administrators Committee (AAC) agreed to implement a pilot program for regular season MIAA baseball and softball contests to test instant replay technology in 2024. Using all the applicable replay rules approved by the NCAA Baseball and Softball Rules Committee, the&nbsp;league will begin pilot testing instant replay this spring.&nbsp;MIAA institutions that will be testing instant replay for the sport of baseball are the University of Central Missouri, Missouri Western State University and Pittsburg State University. The University of Central Oklahoma, Rogers State University and the University of Nebraska Kearney will test instant replay in the sport of softball.The Association’s Supervisor for Umpires in both baseball and softball have worked with the conference office to develop the MIAA replay policies and procedures for each sport.“I applaud the MIAA in implementing this cutting-edge technology and look forward to working with them this upcoming year,” said Chris Coskey, MIAA Supervisor of Baseball Umpires.“Implementing a pilot instant replay program in the MIAA could significantly enhance the accuracy of critical calls during games, and ultimately, could positively impact the sport's integrity, competitiveness, and appeal, benefiting both players, teams, umpires and the broader Division II baseball community.”The results from the pilot test sites will be analyzed by MIAA coaches and administrators this summer to determine the possibility of welcoming the full implementation of instant replay technology at all campuses for the 2025 spring MIAA baseball and softball seasons.The selected MIAA pilot test campuses will use the same SkyCoach Instant Replay system that the Association has used in the sport of football for the past two seasons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myskycoach.com/" target="_blank">SkyCoach</a>&nbsp;requires no computer monitors – the technology taps into cameras already being used for game broadcasts – and does not require a replay booth. MIAA umpires will have instantaneous access to plays for review on an iPad through the SkyCoach app."I’m very excited for the introduction of video review in MIAA softball to further the quality of play for the student-athletes,” stated Austin Mezzacasa, MIAA Supervisor of Softball Umpires. “From an officiating standpoint, this will allow the league’s umpire staff further resources to make sure we are getting calls correct and allow officials to progress their games in a new skill set.”“The MIAA continues to raise the bar for officiating practices in NCAA Division II and I am thrilled to aid in these goals."Instant replay technology will also be used at the 2024 MIAA Baseball and Softball Championship sites. The upcoming baseball and softball seasons are scheduled to begin February 1-3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾🥎 MIAA announces plan to pilot test instant replay in upcoming seasons 

The Fort Hays State men's basketball team looks for a third-straight win as they host Lincoln at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Saturday, January 6, 2024.

The Fort Hays State men's basketball team looks for a third-straight win as they host Lincoln at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Saturday, January 6, 2024.<div><iframe title="FHSU Rewind - MBB vs. Lincoln (Jan. 6, 2024)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=drzhr-1547108-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: FHSU Rewind-MBB vs. Lincoln (Jan. 6, 2024)

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.&nbsp;– Junior guard&nbsp;Cam Carter&nbsp;scored 15 of his game-high 23 points after halftime to help Kansas State surge to a big second half performance in an 81-67 win over West Virginia on Tuesday night before 10,063 fans at the WVU Coliseum.

With the win, the Wildcats (12-3, 2-0) snapped a 4-game losing streak to the Mountaineers (5-10, 0-2 Big 12) in Morgantown, as they earned their first victory at the WVU Coliseum since a 65-51 win on Feb. 18, 2019. It was just the fourth victory (1949, 2013 and 2019) at West Virginia in 13 all-time visits.

K-State has now won 9 of its last 10 games, including the first 2 Big 12 games for the second consecutive season under head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang. The Wildcats are also off to a 2-0 start in true road games.

Down 42-40 at the half, the Wildcats used a 17-5 run to start the second half to take control of the game and build their first double-digit lead (57-47) with just over 13 minutes to play. Four different players contributed to the run, including a combined 13 points from Carter (7 points) and fellow junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma&nbsp;(6 points).

The Mountaineers were able to close to within 5 points on 3 occasions, including 61-56 at the third media timeout with 7:21 remaining, but the Wildcats answered with a decisive 12-2 run to end any notion of a comeback and push ahead by a game-high 15 points (73-58) with 3:43 to play. Carter was responsible for 6 of the 12 points during the run.

WVU got no closer than 8 points the rest of the way in dropping its fifth game in the last 6 outings.

After allowing 42 points in the first half on 48 percent (12-of-25) shooting, including 50 percent (6-of-12) from 3-point range, K-State held West Virginia to just 25 points in the second half on 30.8 percent (8-of-26) shooting, including 18.2 percent (2-of-11) from long range.

Carter led four Wildcats in double figures with his fourth 20-point game of the season, as he finished the game 6-of-14 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Kaluma and senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;each added 17 points, as N’Guessan tallied both his season-high and Big 12 high in going 7-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. Senior&nbsp;Will McNair Jr.&nbsp;nearly tallied a double-double with 12 points and a season-high 9 rebounds.

In addition to the four double-digit scorers, the Wildcats got another solid night from redshirt freshman guard&nbsp;Dorian Finister, who tied his season-high with 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in a career-tying 22 minutes of action.

K-State shot better than 50 percent from the field for the third time this season, connecting on 53.8 percent (28-of-52) of its field goals with 44 of its 81 points coming in the paint. Although both teams turned it over 13 times, the Wildcats were able to post a 17-5 advantage in points off turnovers.

K-State also continued its dominance on the glass, out-rebounding WVU, 35-22, including 9 offensive rebounds which led to 11 second-chance points.&nbsp;The team, which ranks in the top-40 nationally in rebounding, has outrebounded 11 of 15 opponents.

West Virginia was held to just 39.2 percent (20-of-51) shooting, including 30.8 percent (8-of-26) in the second half. The Mountaineers had 3 players score in double figures led by senior transfer&nbsp;RaeQuan Battle, who finished with 21 points on 5-of-13 field goals and 9-of-12 free throws. Senior transfers&nbsp;Noah Farrakhan&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kerr Kriissa&nbsp;each added 11 points.

WVU still leads the all-time series, 16-11, including 15-10 in the Big 12 era. The victory was just the fourth all-time by K-State in Morgantown, following wins in 1949, 2013 and 2019.

The teams went back and forth in the early going, as K-State scored on consecutive baskets from senior&nbsp;Will McNair Jr.&nbsp;and redshirt freshman&nbsp;Dorian Finister&nbsp;to take a 10-7 lead into the first media timeout at the 15:26 mark. The Wildcats pushed their lead to 16-11 on a second dunk by Finister and a layup by senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan.

West Virginia closed the deficit to 19-17 behind the play of senior transfer&nbsp;RaeQwan Battle, who was responsible for 12 of the team’s first 17 points. K-State responded with 9 of the next 13 points, which was highlighted by a 3-pointer from junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma, to push back ahead 28-21 with 8 minutes left in the half. The Mountaineers slowly chipped away at the deficit, using a 10-2 run to take their first lead at 31-30 on a 3-pointer by transfer senior&nbsp;Kerr Kriisa.

K-State followed with 9 of the next 13 points to push ahead at 39-35 before the final media timeout at the 3:30 mark. However, WVU finished the half by scoring 6 of the final 7 points, capped by a 3-pointer from junior&nbsp;Kobe Johnson, to take a 42-40 lead at the break.

K-State connected on 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field in the first half, including 33.3 percent (2-of-6) from 3-point range, while WVU shot 48 percent (12-of-25), including 50 percent (6-of-12) from long range. Battle led all scorers with 18 points while N’Guessan paced the Wildcats with 11 points.

K-State came out of the halftime break on fire, scoring 12 of the first 15 points to take a 52-45 lead into the first media timeout at the 15:48 mark. Kaluma had a pair of 3-pointers in the run, while Finister had a dunk and McNair and junior&nbsp;Cam Carter&nbsp;each had layups. After a pair of free throws by the Mountaineers, Carter added a 3-pointer and 2 free throws to give the Wildcats their first double-digit lead at 57-47 with 13:17 to play.

Down double digits, WVU scored 7 of the next 9 points to close the deficit to 59-54, but a layup by McNair sparked a 14-4 run by K-State that extended the lead to 73-58 at the final media timeout at the 3:43 mark. Four different Wildcats contributed to the run, including 6 points from Carter.

The Mountaineers made one last run, rattling off 7 in a row to close to within 73-65 with 1:33 remaining, but the Wildcats finished it off by scoring 8 of the last 10 points for the 14-point victory. Kaluma and N’Guessan scored 4 points each in the game-ending run.

“First of all, just very thankful for these young men and our whole team and just how we approached this game. I want to thank (Wichita Eagle&nbsp;beat writer) Kellis Robinett for not making the trip. We are 2-0 when he doesn’t come on road games, so thanks to Kellis. I appreciate the tweet. This is league is incredible, so anytime you can get a win especially on the road, you’re just super thankful. Now you try to figure out how to keep getting better as you go forward.”

On the road win providing confidence to the team…

“Well, we went to LSU and won and there were some pretty tough circumstances going into that one and we were able to figure it out. In know that we can win on the road, tough teams win on the road. It’s just some nights, it doesn’t matter. Like the other team is just better than you are. So, when you're able to get them to work out. It's great. And then we go back to the drawing board.”

“It was great to score 44 points in the paint tonight. Obviously, West Virginia is dealing with size issues without Jesse Edwards. That's something that's been part of our game plan, to be inside out. You know, when the ball gets into the paint, good things happen.”

On holding RaeQwan Battle to 3 points in the second half…

“I think his first half explosion, it catches you off guard. His athleticism, his quickness, his ability to stop and go straight up in the air. That's tough to go against. I mean, he shot eight, nine free throws in the first half because we fouled him shooting three pointers. There are not a lot of guys who can come off a screen that hard, plant and go straight up in the air. And so, the second half, we tried to limit our fouls on him and that’s really what really helped us.”

UP NEXT K-State concludes its 2-game road trip with a visit to Lubbock, Texas on Saturday afternoon, to take on Texas Tech (13-2, 2-0 Big 12) at the United Supermarket Arena. The game will tip at 3 p.m., CT on ESPN2. The Wildcats will look to snap a 9-game road losing streak to the Red Raiders.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704885311675.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics." />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMORGANTOWN, W.Va.&nbsp;– Junior guard&nbsp;Cam Carter&nbsp;scored 15 of his game-high 23 points after halftime to help Kansas State surge to a big second half performance in an 81-67 win over West Virginia on Tuesday night before 10,063 fans at the WVU Coliseum.With the win, the Wildcats (12-3, 2-0) snapped a 4-game losing streak to the Mountaineers (5-10, 0-2 Big 12) in Morgantown, as they earned their first victory at the WVU Coliseum since a 65-51 win on Feb. 18, 2019. It was just the fourth victory (1949, 2013 and 2019) at West Virginia in 13 all-time visits.K-State has now won 9 of its last 10 games, including the first 2 Big 12 games for the second consecutive season under head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang. The Wildcats are also off to a 2-0 start in true road games.Down 42-40 at the half, the Wildcats used a 17-5 run to start the second half to take control of the game and build their first double-digit lead (57-47) with just over 13 minutes to play. Four different players contributed to the run, including a combined 13 points from Carter (7 points) and fellow junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma&nbsp;(6 points).The Mountaineers were able to close to within 5 points on 3 occasions, including 61-56 at the third media timeout with 7:21 remaining, but the Wildcats answered with a decisive 12-2 run to end any notion of a comeback and push ahead by a game-high 15 points (73-58) with 3:43 to play. Carter was responsible for 6 of the 12 points during the run.WVU got no closer than 8 points the rest of the way in dropping its fifth game in the last 6 outings.After allowing 42 points in the first half on 48 percent (12-of-25) shooting, including 50 percent (6-of-12) from 3-point range, K-State held West Virginia to just 25 points in the second half on 30.8 percent (8-of-26) shooting, including 18.2 percent (2-of-11) from long range.Carter led four Wildcats in double figures with his fourth 20-point game of the season, as he finished the game 6-of-14 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Kaluma and senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;each added 17 points, as N’Guessan tallied both his season-high and Big 12 high in going 7-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. Senior&nbsp;Will McNair Jr.&nbsp;nearly tallied a double-double with 12 points and a season-high 9 rebounds.In addition to the four double-digit scorers, the Wildcats got another solid night from redshirt freshman guard&nbsp;Dorian Finister, who tied his season-high with 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in a career-tying 22 minutes of action.K-State shot better than 50 percent from the field for the third time this season, connecting on 53.8 percent (28-of-52) of its field goals with 44 of its 81 points coming in the paint. Although both teams turned it over 13 times, the Wildcats were able to post a 17-5 advantage in points off turnovers.K-State also continued its dominance on the glass, out-rebounding WVU, 35-22, including 9 offensive rebounds which led to 11 second-chance points.&nbsp;The team, which ranks in the top-40 nationally in rebounding, has outrebounded 11 of 15 opponents.West Virginia was held to just 39.2 percent (20-of-51) shooting, including 30.8 percent (8-of-26) in the second half. The Mountaineers had 3 players score in double figures led by senior transfer&nbsp;RaeQuan Battle, who finished with 21 points on 5-of-13 field goals and 9-of-12 free throws. Senior transfers&nbsp;Noah Farrakhan&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kerr Kriissa&nbsp;each added 11 points.WVU still leads the all-time series, 16-11, including 15-10 in the Big 12 era. The victory was just the fourth all-time by K-State in Morgantown, following wins in 1949, 2013 and 2019.HOW IT HAPPENEDThe teams went back and forth in the early going, as K-State scored on consecutive baskets from senior&nbsp;Will McNair Jr.&nbsp;and redshirt freshman&nbsp;Dorian Finister&nbsp;to take a 10-7 lead into the first media timeout at the 15:26 mark. The Wildcats pushed their lead to 16-11 on a second dunk by Finister and a layup by senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan.West Virginia closed the deficit to 19-17 behind the play of senior transfer&nbsp;RaeQwan Battle, who was responsible for 12 of the team’s first 17 points. K-State responded with 9 of the next 13 points, which was highlighted by a 3-pointer from junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma, to push back ahead 28-21 with 8 minutes left in the half. The Mountaineers slowly chipped away at the deficit, using a 10-2 run to take their first lead at 31-30 on a 3-pointer by transfer senior&nbsp;Kerr Kriisa.K-State followed with 9 of the next 13 points to push ahead at 39-35 before the final media timeout at the 3:30 mark. However, WVU finished the half by scoring 6 of the final 7 points, capped by a 3-pointer from junior&nbsp;Kobe Johnson, to take a 42-40 lead at the break.K-State connected on 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field in the first half, including 33.3 percent (2-of-6) from 3-point range, while WVU shot 48 percent (12-of-25), including 50 percent (6-of-12) from long range. Battle led all scorers with 18 points while N’Guessan paced the Wildcats with 11 points.K-State came out of the halftime break on fire, scoring 12 of the first 15 points to take a 52-45 lead into the first media timeout at the 15:48 mark. Kaluma had a pair of 3-pointers in the run, while Finister had a dunk and McNair and junior&nbsp;Cam Carter&nbsp;each had layups. After a pair of free throws by the Mountaineers, Carter added a 3-pointer and 2 free throws to give the Wildcats their first double-digit lead at 57-47 with 13:17 to play.Down double digits, WVU scored 7 of the next 9 points to close the deficit to 59-54, but a layup by McNair sparked a 14-4 run by K-State that extended the lead to 73-58 at the final media timeout at the 3:43 mark. Four different Wildcats contributed to the run, including 6 points from Carter.The Mountaineers made one last run, rattling off 7 in a row to close to within 73-65 with 1:33 remaining, but the Wildcats finished it off by scoring 8 of the last 10 points for the 14-point victory. Kaluma and N’Guessan scored 4 points each in the game-ending run.HEAD COACH JEROME TANGOn the game…“First of all, just very thankful for these young men and our whole team and just how we approached this game. I want to thank (Wichita Eagle&nbsp;beat writer) Kellis Robinett for not making the trip. We are 2-0 when he doesn’t come on road games, so thanks to Kellis. I appreciate the tweet. This is league is incredible, so anytime you can get a win especially on the road, you’re just super thankful. Now you try to figure out how to keep getting better as you go forward.”On the road win providing confidence to the team…“Well, we went to LSU and won and there were some pretty tough circumstances going into that one and we were able to figure it out. In know that we can win on the road, tough teams win on the road. It’s just some nights, it doesn’t matter. Like the other team is just better than you are. So, when you're able to get them to work out. It's great. And then we go back to the drawing board.”On the points in the paint…“It was great to score 44 points in the paint tonight. Obviously, West Virginia is dealing with size issues without Jesse Edwards. That's something that's been part of our game plan, to be inside out. You know, when the ball gets into the paint, good things happen.”On holding RaeQwan Battle to 3 points in the second half…“I think his first half explosion, it catches you off guard. His athleticism, his quickness, his ability to stop and go straight up in the air. That's tough to go against. I mean, he shot eight, nine free throws in the first half because we fouled him shooting three pointers. There are not a lot of guys who can come off a screen that hard, plant and go straight up in the air. And so, the second half, we tried to limit our fouls on him and that’s really what really helped us.”TEAM NOTES<ul>
 <li><a></a><a>K-State moved to 2-0 in Big 12 play with an 81-67 win at West Virginia.</a></li><li>K-State snapped a 4-game losing streak to West Virginia at the WVU Coliseum, earning just its fourth victory in Morgantown and third in the Big 12 era… It was the first victory at the WVU Coliseum since a 65-51 win on Feb. 18, 2019.</li><li>The 81 points tied for the most points against WVU on the road in the series, while the 14-point margin of victory tied for the most in the 13 career games in Morgantown.</li><li>K-State is 2-0 in Big 12 play for the second consecutive season.</li><li>West Virginia still leads the all-time series, 16-11, including 15-9 in the Big 12 era… The Mountaineers still own a 9-4 advantage at home.</li><li>K-State scored its 81 points on 53.8 percent (28-of-52) shooting, including 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from 3-point range, while the Wildcats hit on 82.6 percent (19-of-23) from the free throw line.</li><li>K-State scored 44 of its 81 points in the paint, holding a 44-22 edge in the category.</li><li>K-State held a 35-22 advantage in rebounding, including 9 offensive rebounds that led to 11 second-chance points… The Wildcats have now won the rebounding battle in 11 of 15 games.</li><li>K-State held the advantage in points off turnovers (17-5), points in the paint (44-22), second-chance points (11-4) and fast-break points (13-8).</li><li>K-State started a lineup of senior&nbsp;Tylor Perry, junior&nbsp;Cam Carter, junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;Will McNair Jr.&nbsp;… It marked the 11th time using this lineup… Carter has now started all 51 games in his K-State career… Carter, N’Guessan and Perry have started all 15 games… Kaluma and McNair earned their 13th starts, respectively.</li>
 </ul>PLAYER NOTES<ul>
 <li>Four players scored in double figures led by a game-high 23 points from junior&nbsp;Cam Carter.</li><li>K-State is now 10-1 this season when 4 or more players score in double figures.</li><li>Carter was joined in double figures by juniors&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma&nbsp;(17 points) and&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;(17 points) and senior&nbsp;Will McNair Jr.&nbsp;(12 points).</li><li>Carter scored his 23 points on 6-of-14 field goals and a perfect 10-of-10 performance from the free throw line to go with 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals in 37 minutes… It marked his fourth career 20-point game, all coming this season… He has now scored in double figures in 23 career games, including 13 times this season.</li><li>N’Guessan scored a season-high 17 points on 7-of-8 field goals and 3-of-3 free throws to go with 7 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, an assist and a steal in 27 minutes… It was also the most points he has scored in a Big 12 game… He has now scored in double figures in 18 career games, including 7 times this season (which equals his entire total from 2022-23).</li><li>Kaluma scored his 17 points on 6-of-9 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and 1-of-2 free throws to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 28 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 52 career games, including 12 this season.</li><li>McNair scored his 12 points on 5-of-5 field goals and 2-of-4 free throws to go with a game-high and season-best 9 rebounds and 2 steals in 29 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 20 career games, including 6 times this season.</li><li>Redshirt freshman&nbsp;Dorian Finister&nbsp;continued to be a spark from the bench with a season-tying 6 points on 3-of-4 field goals (all dunks) to go with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in a career-tying 22 minutes.</li>
 </ul>UP NEXT K-State concludes its 2-game road trip with a visit to Lubbock, Texas on Saturday afternoon, to take on Texas Tech (13-2, 2-0 Big 12) at the United Supermarket Arena. The game will tip at 3 p.m., CT on ESPN2. The Wildcats will look to snap a 9-game road losing streak to the Red Raiders.

🏀 Strong second half propels K-State past West Virginia

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team dropped five spots to No. 15 in this week's WBCA Division II Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. The Tigers are now receiving votes in the D2CSC national media poll. This is the 100th time Fort Hays State has been in the top 25 of a weekly coaches poll release.

It is the first time the Tigers have been ranked 15th in the coaches poll, while Fort Hays State once occupied the 15th spot in the media poll in the final release of the 2020-21 season.

Fort Hays State, now 12-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play, is once again the top-ranked MIAA program in the poll. Central Missouri moved to 17th this week, while Pittsburg State is 20th and Northwest Missouri State is receiving votes.

Pittsburg State is the top MIAA program in the media ranks, sitting 12th, while Northwest Missouri State is 23rd. FHSU and UCM are both receiving votes, with the Tigers sitting just five points outside the top 25.

15th is one of three spots in the top 25 that the Tigers have never occupied when playing a contest. After Thursday, FHSU will have played in each spot in the top 25 at least once except 14th and 20th.The Tigers are 153-40 all-time when ranked in the top 25.Fort Hays State will open a three-game road trip Thursday when the Tigers take on Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. beginning at 5:30 p.m.

WBCA DII Coaches Poll - January 9, 2024 Rk. - School (1st) - W-L &nbsp;- Pts. - Last 1 - Grand Valley State (21) - 12-1 - 573 - 1 2 - Ashland (1) - 12-1 - 550 - 2 3 - Gannon - 15-1 - 523 - 3 4 - Catawba - 10-1 - 495 - 4 5 - Union (Tenn.) - 14-1 - 476 - 6 6t - Southern Nazarene (1) - 12-0 - 429 - 7 6t - Thomas Jefferson - 12-1 - 429 - 8 8 - Colorado Mines - 12-1 - 393 - 9 9 - Fairmont State - 11-1 - 329 - 12 10 - Virginia State - 13-1 - 305 - 13 11 - Ferris State - 8-2 - 297 - 5 12 - Northwestern Oklahoma State - 13-1 - 271 - 19 13 - Harding - 11-1 - 244 - 20 14 - Montana State Billings - 13-3 - 230 - 17 15 - Fort Hays State - 12-2 - 225 - 10 16 - Texas Woman's - 12-3 - 217 - 18 17 - Central Missouri - 10-3 - 211 - 11 18 - Bentley - 10-2 - 196 - 22 19 - Valdosta State - 11-2 - 147 - 23 20 - Pittsburg State - 11-2 - 122 - 16 21t - Texas A&amp;M International - 13-2 - 121 - 25 21t - Western Washington - 10-3 - 121 - 14 23 - Fayetteville State - 12-1 - 76 - RV 24 - Tampa - 13-4 - 61 - 15 25 - Miles - 9-1 - 59 - RV

Dropped Out:&nbsp;No. 21 West Chester (8-5); No. 24 Assumption (9-3).

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Azusa Pacific (12-3) 44; Assumption (9-3) 43; Anderson, SC (10-2) 35; Minnesota State Mankato (10-4) 31; Texas-Tyler (13-3) 31; Drury (9-4) 27; Glenville State (8-4) 16; Northwest Missouri State (12-2) 15; Rollins (9-3) 14; Kentucky State (11-2) 13; North Georgia (9-3) 7; Cal State San Marcos (9-3) 6; Georgia Southwestern (8-2) 5.

D2CSC National Media Poll - January 9, 2024 Rk. - School (1st) - W-L &nbsp;- Pts. - Last 1 - Grand Valley State (13) - 12-1 - 395 - 1 2 - Southern Nazarene (2) - 12-0 - 374 - 2 3 - Ashland - 12-1 - 364 - 4 4 - Gannon (1) - 15-1 - 356 - 5 5 - Colorado Mines - 12-1 - 329 - 8 6 - Catawba - 10-1 - 301 - 9 7 - Union - 14-1 - 300 - 16 8 - Bentley - 10-2 - 282 - 6 9 - Montana State Billings - 13-3 - 259 - 15 10 - Jefferson - 12-1 - 257 - 10 11 - Fairmont State - 11-1 - 206 - RV 12 - Pittsburg State - 11-2 - 204 - 13 13 - Ferris State - 8-1 - 192 - 11 14 - Valdosta State - 11-2 - 168 - RV 15 - Harding - 11-1 - 162 - NR 16 - Western Washington - 10-3 - 161 - 19 17 - Texas Tyler - 13-3 - 151 - NR 18 - Lincoln Memorial - 10-1 - 120 - NR 19 - Fayetteville State - 12-1 - 116 - RV 20 - Azusa Pacific - 10-3 - 84 - 24 21 - Texas A&amp;M International - 13-2 - 75 - RV 22 - Virginia State - 13-1 - 53 - RV 23 - Northwest Missouri State - 12-2 - 51 - RV 24 - Nova Southeastern - 10-3 - 49 - NR 25 - Texas Woman's - 12-3 - 32 - 3

Dropped Out:&nbsp;(7) Tampa; (12) West Chester; (14) Embry-Riddle; (17) Central Missouri; (18) Pace; (20) North Georgia; (21) California (Pa,); (22) Adams State; (23) Fort Hays State; (25) Kentucky Wesleyan

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Anderson (29); Ursuline (29);&nbsp;Fort Hays State (27); Dominican (Calif.) (19); Southern New Hampshire (18); Tampa (13); Central Missouri (10); Pace (5); Lock Haven (3); Northwest Oklahoma State (3); Cal State-San Marcos (2); Lubbock Christian (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704841901216.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsThe Fort Hays State women's basketball team dropped five spots to No. 15 in this week's WBCA Division II Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. The Tigers are now receiving votes in the D2CSC national media poll. This is the 100th time Fort Hays State has been in the top 25 of a weekly coaches poll release.It is the first time the Tigers have been ranked 15th in the coaches poll, while Fort Hays State once occupied the 15th spot in the media poll in the final release of the 2020-21 season.Fort Hays State, now 12-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play, is once again the top-ranked MIAA program in the poll. Central Missouri moved to 17th this week, while Pittsburg State is 20th and Northwest Missouri State is receiving votes.Pittsburg State is the top MIAA program in the media ranks, sitting 12th, while Northwest Missouri State is 23rd. FHSU and UCM are both receiving votes, with the Tigers sitting just five points outside the top 25.15th is one of three spots in the top 25 that the Tigers have never occupied when playing a contest. After Thursday, FHSU will have played in each spot in the top 25 at least once except 14th and 20th.The Tigers are 153-40 all-time when ranked in the top 25.Fort Hays State will open a three-game road trip Thursday when the Tigers take on Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. beginning at 5:30 p.m.WBCA DII Coaches Poll - January 9, 2024 Rk. - School (1st) - W-L &nbsp;- Pts. - Last 1 - Grand Valley State (21) - 12-1 - 573 - 1 2 - Ashland (1) - 12-1 - 550 - 2 3 - Gannon - 15-1 - 523 - 3 4 - Catawba - 10-1 - 495 - 4 5 - Union (Tenn.) - 14-1 - 476 - 6 6t - Southern Nazarene (1) - 12-0 - 429 - 7 6t - Thomas Jefferson - 12-1 - 429 - 8 8 - Colorado Mines - 12-1 - 393 - 9 9 - Fairmont State - 11-1 - 329 - 12 10 - Virginia State - 13-1 - 305 - 13 11 - Ferris State - 8-2 - 297 - 5 12 - Northwestern Oklahoma State - 13-1 - 271 - 19 13 - Harding - 11-1 - 244 - 20 14 - Montana State Billings - 13-3 - 230 - 17 15 - Fort Hays State - 12-2 - 225 - 10 16 - Texas Woman's - 12-3 - 217 - 18 17 - Central Missouri - 10-3 - 211 - 11 18 - Bentley - 10-2 - 196 - 22 19 - Valdosta State - 11-2 - 147 - 23 20 - Pittsburg State - 11-2 - 122 - 16 21t - Texas A&amp;M International - 13-2 - 121 - 25 21t - Western Washington - 10-3 - 121 - 14 23 - Fayetteville State - 12-1 - 76 - RV 24 - Tampa - 13-4 - 61 - 15 25 - Miles - 9-1 - 59 - RVDropped Out:&nbsp;No. 21 West Chester (8-5); No. 24 Assumption (9-3).Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Azusa Pacific (12-3) 44; Assumption (9-3) 43; Anderson, SC (10-2) 35; Minnesota State Mankato (10-4) 31; Texas-Tyler (13-3) 31; Drury (9-4) 27; Glenville State (8-4) 16; Northwest Missouri State (12-2) 15; Rollins (9-3) 14; Kentucky State (11-2) 13; North Georgia (9-3) 7; Cal State San Marcos (9-3) 6; Georgia Southwestern (8-2) 5.D2CSC National Media Poll - January 9, 2024 Rk. - School (1st) - W-L &nbsp;- Pts. - Last 1 - Grand Valley State (13) - 12-1 - 395 - 1 2 - Southern Nazarene (2) - 12-0 - 374 - 2 3 - Ashland - 12-1 - 364 - 4 4 - Gannon (1) - 15-1 - 356 - 5 5 - Colorado Mines - 12-1 - 329 - 8 6 - Catawba - 10-1 - 301 - 9 7 - Union - 14-1 - 300 - 16 8 - Bentley - 10-2 - 282 - 6 9 - Montana State Billings - 13-3 - 259 - 15 10 - Jefferson - 12-1 - 257 - 10 11 - Fairmont State - 11-1 - 206 - RV 12 - Pittsburg State - 11-2 - 204 - 13 13 - Ferris State - 8-1 - 192 - 11 14 - Valdosta State - 11-2 - 168 - RV 15 - Harding - 11-1 - 162 - NR 16 - Western Washington - 10-3 - 161 - 19 17 - Texas Tyler - 13-3 - 151 - NR 18 - Lincoln Memorial - 10-1 - 120 - NR 19 - Fayetteville State - 12-1 - 116 - RV 20 - Azusa Pacific - 10-3 - 84 - 24 21 - Texas A&amp;M International - 13-2 - 75 - RV 22 - Virginia State - 13-1 - 53 - RV 23 - Northwest Missouri State - 12-2 - 51 - RV 24 - Nova Southeastern - 10-3 - 49 - NR 25 - Texas Woman's - 12-3 - 32 - 3Dropped Out:&nbsp;(7) Tampa; (12) West Chester; (14) Embry-Riddle; (17) Central Missouri; (18) Pace; (20) North Georgia; (21) California (Pa,); (22) Adams State; (23) Fort Hays State; (25) Kentucky WesleyanReceiving Votes:&nbsp;Anderson (29); Ursuline (29);&nbsp;Fort Hays State (27); Dominican (Calif.) (19); Southern New Hampshire (18); Tampa (13); Central Missouri (10); Pace (5); Lock Haven (3); Northwest Oklahoma State (3); Cal State-San Marcos (2); Lubbock Christian (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 FHSU women drop in latest Division II polls

The Fort Hays State men's basketball team is just outside of the Top 25 in the latest editions of the NABC and D2CSC Top 25 Polls, released on Tuesday. The Tigers are the highest vote receiving team in the D2CSC poll, coming just one voting point shy of the Top 25, while they were the second-highest vote receiving team in the NABC poll, just eight voting points shy of the Top 25.

Northwest Missouri State and Central Oklahoma represent the MIAA in the Top 25 of both polls. NWMSU is No. 14 in the NABC poll and No. 15 in the D2CSC Poll. UCO is No. 17 in the NABC poll and No. 23 in the D2CSC Poll.

In the NABC poll, Fort Hays State is joined by Washburn, Missouri Western, and Emporia State in the receiving votes list. FHSU received the most votes of the MIAA teams in the list. Fort Hays State is the only MIAA team listed in the receiving votes list of the D2CSC poll.

Fort Hays State has been among the Top 25 only once this season, holding the No. 16 spot for a week in the D2CSC poll November 14-20. The Tigers have been in the receiving votes section of the NABC poll for four straight polls now.

The Tigers go on the road this week to Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. It is the start of a three-game road swing for the Tigers over a two-week span.

NABC Top 25 Poll - January 9, 2024 Rank - Team - Record - Pts 1 - MSU Moorhead (Minn.) (15) - 14-0 - 399 2 - Minnesota State (1) - 14-0 - 385 3 - Nova Southeastern (Fla.) - 11-1 - 357 4 - West Texas A&amp;M - 12-1 - 345 5 - Saint Martin's (Wash.) - 13-1 - 321 6 - Dallas Baptist (Texas) - 11-1 - 311 7 - North Georgia - 11-1 - 286 8 - Benedict (S.C.) - 10-0 - 271 9 - Fort Lewis (Colo.) - 12-1 - 270 10 - Angelo State (Texas) - 12-1 - 263 11 - Colorado Mesa - 11-2 - 238 12 - Ferris State (Mich.) - 12-2 - 221 13 - California (Pa.) - 12-1 - 190 14 - Northwest Missouri State - 11-3 - 182 15 - Chico State (Calif.) - 11-2 - 177 16 - East Stroudsburg (Pa.) - 11-1 - 130 17 - Central Oklahoma - 13-3 - 115 18 - St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) - 11-2 - 112 19 - West Georgia - 11-2 - 102 20 - Gannon (Pa.) - 11-2 - 73 21 - Cal State LA - 11-2 - 64 22 - Cal State San Bernardino - 10-3 - 54 23 - Colorado School of Mines - 12-3 - 49 24 - Lander (S.C.) - 10-2 - 44 25 - West Liberty (W.Va.) - 9-3 - 37

Receiving Votes: Post (Conn.) 36,&nbsp;Fort Hays State (Kan.) 29, Minot State (N.D.) 24, Catawba (N.C.) 22, USC Aiken (S.C.) 20, Florida Tech 14, Washburn (Kan.) 14, Saint Michael's (Vt.) 11, Ashland (Ohio) 10, Indianapolis (Ind.) 10, Charleston (W.Va.) 7, Missouri Western 7, Upper Iowa 7, Florida Southern 5, Lubbock Christian (Texas) 4, Minnesota Duluth 3, Emporia State (Kan.) 2, Concord (W.Va.) 1, UNC Pembroke (N.C.) 1.

D2CSC Top 25 Poll - January 9, 2024 Rank - Team - Record - Pts 1 - MSU Moorhead (Minn.) (11) - 14-0 - 367 2 - Nova Southeastern (Fla.) (3) - 11-1 - 340 3 - Minnesota State (1) - 14-0 - 339 4 - Saint Martin's (Wash.) - 13-1 - 320 5 - West Texas A&amp;M - 12-1 - 296 6 - North Georgia - 11-1 - 286 7 - Benedict (S.C.) - 12-0 - 281 8 - California (Pa.) - 12-1 - 280 9 - Dallas Baptist&nbsp; (Texas) - 11-1 - 250 10 - St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) - 11-2 - 238 11 - Ferris State (Mich.) - 12-2 - 221 12 - Angelo State (Texas) - 12-1 - 170 13 - East Stroudsburg (Pa.) - 11-1 - 153 14 - Gannon (Pa.) - 11-2 - 136 15 - Northwest Missouri State - 11-3 - 129 16 - Fort Lewis (Colo.) - 12-1 - 122 17 - Cal State LA - 11-2 - 107 18 - Saint Michael's (Vt.) - 11-2 - 96 19 - Catawba (N.C.) - 7-1 - 96 20 - Colorado Mesa - 11-2 - 94 21 - USC Aiken (S.C.) - 10-2 - 85 22 - Alabama Huntsville - 10-3 - 83 23 - Central Oklahoma - 13-3 - 57 24 - Post (Conn.) - 10-2 - 50 25 - Chico State (Calif.) - 10-2 - 47

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Fort Hays State – 46; Indianapolis – 37; West Georgia – 35; CSU San Bernardino – 28; West Liberty – 25; Florida Southern – 16; Charleston – 14; Northern Michigan – 8; Lander – 7; Lee – 4

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704840980914.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsThe Fort Hays State men's basketball team is just outside of the Top 25 in the latest editions of the NABC and D2CSC Top 25 Polls, released on Tuesday. The Tigers are the highest vote receiving team in the D2CSC poll, coming just one voting point shy of the Top 25, while they were the second-highest vote receiving team in the NABC poll, just eight voting points shy of the Top 25.Northwest Missouri State and Central Oklahoma represent the MIAA in the Top 25 of both polls. NWMSU is No. 14 in the NABC poll and No. 15 in the D2CSC Poll. UCO is No. 17 in the NABC poll and No. 23 in the D2CSC Poll.In the NABC poll, Fort Hays State is joined by Washburn, Missouri Western, and Emporia State in the receiving votes list. FHSU received the most votes of the MIAA teams in the list. Fort Hays State is the only MIAA team listed in the receiving votes list of the D2CSC poll.Fort Hays State has been among the Top 25 only once this season, holding the No. 16 spot for a week in the D2CSC poll November 14-20. The Tigers have been in the receiving votes section of the NABC poll for four straight polls now.The Tigers go on the road this week to Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. It is the start of a three-game road swing for the Tigers over a two-week span.NABC Top 25 Poll - January 9, 2024 Rank - Team - Record - Pts 1 - MSU Moorhead (Minn.) (15) - 14-0 - 399 2 - Minnesota State (1) - 14-0 - 385 3 - Nova Southeastern (Fla.) - 11-1 - 357 4 - West Texas A&amp;M - 12-1 - 345 5 - Saint Martin's (Wash.) - 13-1 - 321 6 - Dallas Baptist (Texas) - 11-1 - 311 7 - North Georgia - 11-1 - 286 8 - Benedict (S.C.) - 10-0 - 271 9 - Fort Lewis (Colo.) - 12-1 - 270 10 - Angelo State (Texas) - 12-1 - 263 11 - Colorado Mesa - 11-2 - 238 12 - Ferris State (Mich.) - 12-2 - 221 13 - California (Pa.) - 12-1 - 190 14 - Northwest Missouri State - 11-3 - 182 15 - Chico State (Calif.) - 11-2 - 177 16 - East Stroudsburg (Pa.) - 11-1 - 130 17 - Central Oklahoma - 13-3 - 115 18 - St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) - 11-2 - 112 19 - West Georgia - 11-2 - 102 20 - Gannon (Pa.) - 11-2 - 73 21 - Cal State LA - 11-2 - 64 22 - Cal State San Bernardino - 10-3 - 54 23 - Colorado School of Mines - 12-3 - 49 24 - Lander (S.C.) - 10-2 - 44 25 - West Liberty (W.Va.) - 9-3 - 37Receiving Votes: Post (Conn.) 36,&nbsp;Fort Hays State (Kan.) 29, Minot State (N.D.) 24, Catawba (N.C.) 22, USC Aiken (S.C.) 20, Florida Tech 14, Washburn (Kan.) 14, Saint Michael's (Vt.) 11, Ashland (Ohio) 10, Indianapolis (Ind.) 10, Charleston (W.Va.) 7, Missouri Western 7, Upper Iowa 7, Florida Southern 5, Lubbock Christian (Texas) 4, Minnesota Duluth 3, Emporia State (Kan.) 2, Concord (W.Va.) 1, UNC Pembroke (N.C.) 1.D2CSC Top 25 Poll - January 9, 2024 Rank - Team - Record - Pts 1 - MSU Moorhead (Minn.) (11) - 14-0 - 367 2 - Nova Southeastern (Fla.) (3) - 11-1 - 340 3 - Minnesota State (1) - 14-0 - 339 4 - Saint Martin's (Wash.) - 13-1 - 320 5 - West Texas A&amp;M - 12-1 - 296 6 - North Georgia - 11-1 - 286 7 - Benedict (S.C.) - 12-0 - 281 8 - California (Pa.) - 12-1 - 280 9 - Dallas Baptist&nbsp; (Texas) - 11-1 - 250 10 - St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) - 11-2 - 238 11 - Ferris State (Mich.) - 12-2 - 221 12 - Angelo State (Texas) - 12-1 - 170 13 - East Stroudsburg (Pa.) - 11-1 - 153 14 - Gannon (Pa.) - 11-2 - 136 15 - Northwest Missouri State - 11-3 - 129 16 - Fort Lewis (Colo.) - 12-1 - 122 17 - Cal State LA - 11-2 - 107 18 - Saint Michael's (Vt.) - 11-2 - 96 19 - Catawba (N.C.) - 7-1 - 96 20 - Colorado Mesa - 11-2 - 94 21 - USC Aiken (S.C.) - 10-2 - 85 22 - Alabama Huntsville - 10-3 - 83 23 - Central Oklahoma - 13-3 - 57 24 - Post (Conn.) - 10-2 - 50 25 - Chico State (Calif.) - 10-2 - 47Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Fort Hays State – 46; Indianapolis – 37; West Georgia – 35; CSU San Bernardino – 28; West Liberty – 25; Florida Southern – 16; Charleston – 14; Northern Michigan – 8; Lander – 7; Lee – 4

🏀 Tiger men receiving votes in latest Division II polls

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to rebound from their loss to #11 Central Missouri when they host Lincoln on Saturday, January 6, 2024.

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to rebound from their loss to #11 Central Missouri when they host Lincoln on Saturday, January 6, 2024.<div><iframe title="FHSU Rewind-WBB vs. Lincoln (Jan. 6, 2024)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ab6qv-1545a75-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: FHSU Rewind-WBB vs. Lincoln (Jan. 6, 2024)

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — Jim Harbaugh raised the championship trophy as gold and white confetti sprayed over his team and “We Are the Champions” blared.

Nine years after he took over at Michigan, Harbaugh delivered on the lofty expectations he brought with him to his beloved alma mater.

Blake Corum ran for 134 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Harbaugh and the top-ranked Wolverines — undeterred by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-big-ten-settlement-sign-stealing-3b840ce9d0f8f5ca79363d20a749ac45">suspensions and a sign-stealing case</a>&nbsp;that shadowed the program — completed a three-year surge to a national title by beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 Monday night in the College Football Playoff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704801729404.jpeg" alt="Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with the trophy after their win in the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game against Washington Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)" />
 <figcaption>Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with the trophy after their win in the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game against Washington Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football WriterHOUSTON (AP) — Jim Harbaugh raised the championship trophy as gold and white confetti sprayed over his team and “We Are the Champions” blared.Nine years after he took over at Michigan, Harbaugh delivered on the lofty expectations he brought with him to his beloved alma mater.Blake Corum ran for 134 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Harbaugh and the top-ranked Wolverines — undeterred by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-big-ten-settlement-sign-stealing-3b840ce9d0f8f5ca79363d20a749ac45">suspensions and a sign-stealing case</a>&nbsp;that shadowed the program — completed a three-year surge to a national title by beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 Monday night in the College Football Playoff.“We’re innocent and we stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent. And I’d like to point that out,” Harbaugh said when asked about off-field issues, jumping in to answer a question posed to his players. “And these guys are innocent. And overcome that? It wasn’t that hard because we knew we were innocent.“(The season) went exactly how we wanted it to go. It went exactly how we wanted it to go.”The Wolverines (15-0) sealed their first national title since 1997 when Corum, who scored the winning touchdown in overtime against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, blasted in from the 1-yard line with 3:37 left to put Michigan up by 21 and set off another rousing rendition of “The Victors” from the band.After a third consecutive playoff appearance, Harbaugh won the championship so many expected when he took over a struggling powerhouse in 2015 — despite missing six regular-season games this season while serving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harbaugh-michigan-ncaa-suspension-628d4d798d5aaece620dde564d4ffb55">two suspensions.</a>“That man, he's the reason we're here today,” Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy said of his coach.And Harbaugh did it with a team his old coach, Bo Schembechler, would have adored. The Wolverines ran for 303 yards against Washington (14-1), and their rugged defense held Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies’ prolific passing game to just one touchdown while intercepting the Heisman Trophy runner-up twice.“There are more than 100 Michigan men who are on this team,” Harbaugh said. “What they’ve done is amazing. They will forever be known as national champions.”Penix’s remarkable six-year college career ended with maybe his worst performance of the season. Usually unfazed by pressure, Penix was not nearly as precise against a Michigan defense that took away his signature deep throws.“That was a spectacular game by our defense,” Harbaugh said.The Indiana transfer who came back from two knee surgeries and two shoulder injuries was roughed up by the Wolverines, limping at times, stepped on another time.Asked how he was feeling, Penix said, still undaunted: “Better than I was three years ago."<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-penix-cfp-b716c321bd81196651daeff1cadce99c">Penix finished 27 for 51 for 255 yards and a touchdown</a>&nbsp;as the Huskies had their 21-game winning streak snapped.“They've given me everything they possible can,” coach Kalen DeBoer said of a group of players who went 4-8 just two seasons ago and 25-3 since he took over in 2022.McCarthy had a modest game, throwing for 140 yards and running for 31. But it was enough for him to improve to 27-1 as a starter for the Wolverines.Michigan gave Washington a taste of life in the Big Ten, where the Pac-12 champions are heading next season, and the Huskies were up for the grind for a while.Two long touchdown runs by Donovan Edwards and 229 yards rushing in the first quarter put the Wolverines up 17-3 early in the second and conjured up memories of last year's historic Georgia blowout of TCU.Washington stabilized and didn’t allow the Wolverines another point in the first half. After the Huskies stopped Michigan on a fourth-and-2 from the UW 38 with 4:46 left in the second quarter, Penix went to work.He found Jalen McMillan on a fourth-and-goal with 42 seconds left for a 3-yard touchdown. After being on the verge of getting buried by the Wolverines, the Huskies fans sang along to “Who Let the Dogs Out,” happily down only 17-10 at half.Will Johnson’s interception of Penix on the first play of the second half gave Michigan another opportunity to open up a two-touchdown lead, but the Huskies forced a field goal by James Turner to make it 20-10.“Today was a complete, complete team effort,” Corum said.Michigan nursed a touchdown lead until halfway through the fourth quarter, when it put together a 71-yard drive, capped by Corum's&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/UMichFootball/status/1744566618670121056">tackle-breaking 12-yard touchdown</a>&nbsp;that finally gave the Wolverines some room with a 27-13 lead and 7:09 left.Corum, the engine of the ground-and-pound offense and heart and soul of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-michigan-cfp-championship-057a300fc250e20e18eead4b076a80f9">team loaded with fourth-, fifth- and even sixth-year players,</a>&nbsp;missed the CFP last year with a knee injury. He was named offensive player of the final national title game in before the College Football Playoff expands from four teams to 12 next season."Michigan, this is for you,” Corum told the Wolverines fans.Michigan seemed to be steaming toward a third consecutive Big Ten championship when in October it was revealed the NCAA was investigating the program for potentially breaking rules that prohibit in-person scouting of opponents and using video equipment to attempt to decode opponents’ play signals.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-big-ten-sign-stealing-7b8bf1c599791b8d695d0d7b2676d4f8">The scandal turned Connor Stalions,</a>&nbsp;the low-level Michigan recruiting staffer accused of orchestrating the scheme, into a household name and threatened to derail the Wolverines’ season.The NCAA process will linger well into 2024 and it is unknown what penalties Michigan could face. The Big Ten, though, decided to act quickly and punished Michigan by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harbaugh-ban-michigan-sign-stealing-2b8c5413d953414d88e9b65579cfcf44">suspending Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;for the final three games of the regular season, including matchups with Penn State and rival Ohio State.With offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore taking Harbaugh’s place, it became Michigan vs. Everybody and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-michigan-score-harbaugh-20131d4e3ac7662c51362bc72059c54a">nobody could stop the Wolverines</a>.Harbaugh returned for the postseason, completed the mission and got to celebrate with his 84-year-old father, Jack — himself a former college football coach — as he accepted the trophy.Michigan became the first college football program to record 1,000 victories when it beat Maryland in November and won its third national title in January.“Who has it better than us?” Jack Harbaugh asked the fans during the trophy ceremony. They replied with a boisterous: “Nobody!”Now the question is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harbaugh-deboer-contract-9777bcff49966191799445b3beff5ddf">whether Harbaugh has coached the team he once quarterbacked for the last time,</a>&nbsp;with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-washington-cfp-championship-ba2da71bcd86b7e05d5fd2d16b63e108">NFL seemingly beckoning again.</a>Harbaugh said it felt good to no longer be the only coach in the family without a national championship. His father won a Division I-AA title with Western Kentucky and brother John won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens by beating Jim's San Francisco 49ers 11 years ago."I can now sit at the big person’s table in the family,” Harbaugh said.As for what's next?"I just want to enjoy this,” he said. “I hope you give me that. Can I have that? Does it always have to be what’s next, what’s the future?”