<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern locked up in a physical battle for the MIAA Tournament Championship on Sunday (Mar. 6) at Municipal Auditorium. The Lions were tough to shake off, but in the end the Tigers prevailed in the lowest scoring MIAA Women's Tournament Championship Game. FHSU was involved in the previous lowest scoring championship game, which was in 2015 against Emporia State. Fort Hays State, ranked No. 1 in the latest NCAA Region Rankings, secured the automatic qualifier from the MIAA for the NCAA Tournament and moved to 28-3 on the season. Missouri Southern is now 24-6 overall and saw its 17-game win streak that went back to early January snapped. The Lions won their final 15 games in conference regular season play to tie FHSU for the regular season title before matching up in the tournament championship game on Sunday.

The teams were deadlocked 8-8 after one quarter, but the Tigers started to get separation in the second quarter with a 15-5 run to open the second quarter. FHSU led 23-13 but saw MSSU storm back quickly with a 10-0 run to tie the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;buried a 3-point field goal just before the end of the first half to give FHSU a 26-23 advantage at the break.

Missouri Southern tied the game once again at 27-27, but then FHSU went on a 6-0 run with 3-point field goals from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;and Hobbs. The Lions countered with five straight points to get the lead back to one before FHSU took a two-point advantage, 36-34, into the fourth quarter. The Lions would tie the game twice more in the fourth quarter, the latest on a 3-point field goal by Layne Skiles to make it 40-40. However, Hobbs stepped up in the clutch and nailed a key 3-point field goal from the left wing to put the Tigers up three. Then with the Tigers up two with about 15 seconds remaining,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6436">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;drove to the hoop and made a critical reverse layup to give the Tigers the separation they needed with little time remaining. Missouri Southern missed its next shot and Golladay put the game on ice with a couple of free throws to create the final six-point margin.

Hobbs was the only Tiger to reach double figures in scoring with 10 points, while pulling down six rebounds. She tied for top assist honors on the team with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>, each with three. Wagner finished with nine points and a team-best nine rebounds. Hobbs earned MIAA All-Tournament honors, along with Tournament Most Outstanding Player&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>, who finished with eight points. Golladay,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6435">Cydney Bergmann</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;all finished with six points. MIAA Player of the Year Lacy Stokes led the Lions with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Skiles also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points. Holding the No. 1 ranking throughout all NCAA region rankings this season, the Tigers will now see if they are selected to host the NCAA Central Regional on Sunday night (Mar. 6) at 9 pm on the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Selection Show.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646624297011.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern locked up in a physical battle for the MIAA Tournament Championship on Sunday (Mar. 6) at Municipal Auditorium. The Lions were tough to shake off, but in the end the Tigers prevailed in the lowest scoring MIAA Women's Tournament Championship Game. FHSU was involved in the previous lowest scoring championship game, which was in 2015 against Emporia State. Fort Hays State, ranked No. 1 in the latest NCAA Region Rankings, secured the automatic qualifier from the MIAA for the NCAA Tournament and moved to 28-3 on the season. Missouri Southern is now 24-6 overall and saw its 17-game win streak that went back to early January snapped. The Lions won their final 15 games in conference regular season play to tie FHSU for the regular season title before matching up in the tournament championship game on Sunday.<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/1227620032&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-814667509/3-6-22-fhsu-wbb-coach-int" title="Fort Hays State Postgame Press Conference vs. Missouri Southern (Mar 6, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State Postgame Press Conference vs. Missouri Southern (Mar 6, 2022)</a></div></div>The teams were deadlocked 8-8 after one quarter, but the Tigers started to get separation in the second quarter with a 15-5 run to open the second quarter. FHSU led 23-13 but saw MSSU storm back quickly with a 10-0 run to tie the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;buried a 3-point field goal just before the end of the first half to give FHSU a 26-23 advantage at the break.<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/1227616657&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-814667509/3-6-22-fhsu-wbb-assistant-coach-int" title="Asst. Coach Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. Missouri Southern (Mar 6, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Asst. Coach Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. Missouri Southern (Mar 6, 2022)</a></div></div>Missouri Southern tied the game once again at 27-27, but then FHSU went on a 6-0 run with 3-point field goals from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;and Hobbs. The Lions countered with five straight points to get the lead back to one before FHSU took a two-point advantage, 36-34, into the fourth quarter. The Lions would tie the game twice more in the fourth quarter, the latest on a 3-point field goal by Layne Skiles to make it 40-40. However, Hobbs stepped up in the clutch and nailed a key 3-point field goal from the left wing to put the Tigers up three. Then with the Tigers up two with about 15 seconds remaining,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6436">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;drove to the hoop and made a critical reverse layup to give the Tigers the separation they needed with little time remaining. Missouri Southern missed its next shot and Golladay put the game on ice with a couple of free throws to create the final six-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/1227616675&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-814667509/3-6-22-fhsu-wbb-v-miss-s-hilights" title="#5 Fort Hays State WBB vs. Missouri Southern State Highlights (Mar 6, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#5 Fort Hays State WBB vs. Missouri Southern State Highlights (Mar 6, 2022)</a></div></div>Hobbs was the only Tiger to reach double figures in scoring with 10 points, while pulling down six rebounds. She tied for top assist honors on the team with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>, each with three. Wagner finished with nine points and a team-best nine rebounds. Hobbs earned MIAA All-Tournament honors, along with Tournament Most Outstanding Player&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>, who finished with eight points. Golladay,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6435">Cydney Bergmann</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;all finished with six points. MIAA Player of the Year Lacy Stokes led the Lions with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Skiles also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points. Holding the No. 1 ranking throughout all NCAA region rankings this season, the Tigers will now see if they are selected to host the NCAA Central Regional on Sunday night (Mar. 6) at 9 pm on the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Selection Show.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tiger women battle their way to second MIAA Tournament title

HAYS, Kan. - After fighting all the way back from 4-0 down to take a 7-5 lead, the Fort Hays State baseball team fell in 11 innings Sunday against Emporia State, 8-7. The Tigers were outhit 14-7 on the day, but home runs from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6327">Grant Schmidt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6317">Conner Kessler</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6622">Mason Holton</a>&nbsp;kept them in it until the bitter end. Emporia State jumped in front with four runs on four hits in the top of the first before Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6310">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;settled in, tossing five scoreless innings after that. The sophomore scattered five hits over those other five innings, allowing four runs on nine total hits while striking out four and walking one in 6.0 innings of work. Fort Hays State had runners on base in all but the 10th inning, but the Tigers struggled to push runs across early. Kessler put the first run on the board with a solo home run to left in the fifth, his first home run of the season. Schmidt made it a two-run game with a moon shot that just scraped over the wall in straightaway center, pulling the Tigers within 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth. The Tigers then tied things up on an opposite-field home run from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6622">Mason Holton</a>&nbsp;in the bottom of the seventh. The freshman crushed a 1-2 pitch over the wall in right, tying things up at 4-4 after driving in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6317">Conner Kessler</a>. Emporia State grabbed the lead right back with a run in the eighth before Fort Hays State scored three to take its first lead of the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6620">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;led off with a walk before moving up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6328">Ed Scott</a>. Kehe took third on a wild pitch before sliding in safely on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Schmidt.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6333">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6335">Jaxson Webb</a>&nbsp;followed with consecutive two-out walks, leaving the door open for&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6621">Mikey Felton</a>. The designated hitter came through with a single to center, driving in one run before the Hornet defender misplayed the ball, allowing Webb to score from first. The Hornets forced extra innings with two solo home runs in the ninth, including one when they were down to their final out. Kehe gave the Tigers a chance with a two-out hit in the ninth, but the Hornet staff sent it to extras with a strikeout. Both sides went down in order in the 10th before Emporia State scored a run on bases loaded sacrifice fly in the 11th. Felton worked a walk to put the tying run on base in the home half of the 11th before the Hornets finished off the win with a fly out, a pop out and a strike out. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6337">Cole Zimmerman</a>&nbsp;tossed one scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6314">Dylan Hamilton</a>&nbsp;gave up one run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6527">Jacob Ensz</a>&nbsp;(0-3) took the loss after giving up three runs on two hits and three walks in 2.0 innings of relief.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6311">Jacob Douglas</a>&nbsp;finished things off, striking out one and issuing an intentional walk in one frame. Kessler had two of the seven hits for the Tigers, while Schmidt and Holton each drove in a pair of runs. The Tigers will be on the road next weekend to face off with Rogers State in another conference series. Action from Claremore, Okla. starts Friday (March 11) beginning at 2 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646624099964.jpeg" alt="Conner Kessler had two hits in the Tigers loss to Emporia State Sunday afternoon at Larks Park (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Allie Schweizer)" />
 <figcaption>Conner Kessler had two hits in the Tigers loss to Emporia State Sunday afternoon at Larks Park (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Allie Schweizer)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>HAYS, Kan. - After fighting all the way back from 4-0 down to take a 7-5 lead, the Fort Hays State baseball team fell in 11 innings Sunday against Emporia State, 8-7. The Tigers were outhit 14-7 on the day, but home runs from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6327">Grant Schmidt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6317">Conner Kessler</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6622">Mason Holton</a>&nbsp;kept them in it until the bitter end. Emporia State jumped in front with four runs on four hits in the top of the first before Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6310">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;settled in, tossing five scoreless innings after that. The sophomore scattered five hits over those other five innings, allowing four runs on nine total hits while striking out four and walking one in 6.0 innings of work. Fort Hays State had runners on base in all but the 10th inning, but the Tigers struggled to push runs across early. Kessler put the first run on the board with a solo home run to left in the fifth, his first home run of the season. Schmidt made it a two-run game with a moon shot that just scraped over the wall in straightaway center, pulling the Tigers within 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth. The Tigers then tied things up on an opposite-field home run from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6622">Mason Holton</a>&nbsp;in the bottom of the seventh. The freshman crushed a 1-2 pitch over the wall in right, tying things up at 4-4 after driving in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6317">Conner Kessler</a>. Emporia State grabbed the lead right back with a run in the eighth before Fort Hays State scored three to take its first lead of the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6620">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;led off with a walk before moving up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6328">Ed Scott</a>. Kehe took third on a wild pitch before sliding in safely on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Schmidt.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6333">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6335">Jaxson Webb</a>&nbsp;followed with consecutive two-out walks, leaving the door open for&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6621">Mikey Felton</a>. The designated hitter came through with a single to center, driving in one run before the Hornet defender misplayed the ball, allowing Webb to score from first. The Hornets forced extra innings with two solo home runs in the ninth, including one when they were down to their final out. Kehe gave the Tigers a chance with a two-out hit in the ninth, but the Hornet staff sent it to extras with a strikeout. Both sides went down in order in the 10th before Emporia State scored a run on bases loaded sacrifice fly in the 11th. Felton worked a walk to put the tying run on base in the home half of the 11th before the Hornets finished off the win with a fly out, a pop out and a strike out. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6337">Cole Zimmerman</a>&nbsp;tossed one scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6314">Dylan Hamilton</a>&nbsp;gave up one run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6527">Jacob Ensz</a>&nbsp;(0-3) took the loss after giving up three runs on two hits and three walks in 2.0 innings of relief.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6311">Jacob Douglas</a>&nbsp;finished things off, striking out one and issuing an intentional walk in one frame. Kessler had two of the seven hits for the Tigers, while Schmidt and Holton each drove in a pair of runs. The Tigers will be on the road next weekend to face off with Rogers State in another conference series. Action from Claremore, Okla. starts Friday (March 11) beginning at 2 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Tigers fall in extra innings to Hornets in weekend finale

No. 5/6 Fort Hays State (27-3, 19-3 MIAA) vs. RV/RV Missouri Southern (24-5, 19-3 MIAA) Sunday, March 5 • 1 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust Championship Game Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fifth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball plays Missouri Southern in the championship game of the 2022 MIAA&nbsp;Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust Sunday afternoon (March 6). First tip between the regular season co-champions is set for 1 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Single-session, general admission tickets are available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/tmefg1">online</a>&nbsp;or at the box office for $20. Live video will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;on a pay-per-view basis, with Gerard Wellbrock's radio call (KJLS 103.3 FM in the Hays listening area) also available&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">online</a>. Both the Tigers and Lions had their hands full in Saturday's semifinals, with Fort Hays State holding off a fourth-quarter run by Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Southern rallying from 11 points down to beat Missouri Western, setting up a winner-take-all heavyweight bout Sunday. Missouri Southern (24-5) has not lost since early January, coming in on a 17-game winning streak, the fifth longest active streak in Division II. Fort Hays State (27-3) has won its last eight, the 10th-longest active streak in the country. The Tigers and Lions both finished the regular season 19-3 in conference play, making this the first shared regular season trophy in the MIAA since 2007-08 and the eighth all time. Missouri Southern is playing as the No. 1 seed in the tournament thanks to its 54-41 win over then-No. 2 Fort Hays State in Hays (1/20/22). Over the last 10 years (since 2012-13), the Tigers have played with a chance to avenge a prior loss in the same season 23 times. FHSU is 15-8 in those games. Shorten the timeframe to five seasons and the Tigers are 10-3 in such contests. As the lower seed, the Tigers are expected to wear their black jerseys, which could be a good sign as they are 13-0 in their dark uniforms this season. Fort Hays State is playing in its fifth MIAA championship game, including appearances in four of the last five conference finales. No other program has appeared in more than two title games over the last five years. The Tigers are 1-3 on Championship Sunday, with the one win coming in 2019 against Central Missouri, 63-56. Fort Hays State dropped last year's title game against Nebraska-Kearney at home, 57-51. This is Missouri Southern's fourth title game appearance, and the first since 1996. The Lions are 2-1 in championship game opportunities. The Tigers are 4-0 all-time against MSSU in the tournament, including a 2-0 mark in KC. The Tigers are 18-11 all-time in the tournament, 2-0 when playing as the No. 2 seed, 0-2 when playing the No. 1 seed and 13-10 in Municipal Auditorium. With a win, head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1043">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;would become the 10th coach to win multiple MIAA tournament championships. Hobson has 18 wins in the tournament, fifth-most all-time. The Tigers are 36-19 all-time against Missouri Southern. The teams have played two neutral site games, with FHSU winning both. Fort Hays State is&nbsp;17-7 against MSSU under Hobson, including a 2-0 record on a neutral floor. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;is averaging 18.5 points per game this tournament, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;chipping in 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;totaling 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;contributing 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists each night and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;collecting 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. The Tigers have turned the ball over just 17 times through two games in KC, an average of just 8.5 per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646578103508.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>No. 5/6 Fort Hays State (27-3, 19-3 MIAA) vs. RV/RV Missouri Southern (24-5, 19-3 MIAA) Sunday, March 5 • 1 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust Championship Game Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fifth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball plays Missouri Southern in the championship game of the 2022 MIAA&nbsp;Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust Sunday afternoon (March 6). First tip between the regular season co-champions is set for 1 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Single-session, general admission tickets are available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/tmefg1">online</a>&nbsp;or at the box office for $20. Live video will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;on a pay-per-view basis, with Gerard Wellbrock's radio call (KJLS 103.3 FM in the Hays listening area) also available&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">online</a>. Both the Tigers and Lions had their hands full in Saturday's semifinals, with Fort Hays State holding off a fourth-quarter run by Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Southern rallying from 11 points down to beat Missouri Western, setting up a winner-take-all heavyweight bout Sunday. Missouri Southern (24-5) has not lost since early January, coming in on a 17-game winning streak, the fifth longest active streak in Division II. Fort Hays State (27-3) has won its last eight, the 10th-longest active streak in the country. The Tigers and Lions both finished the regular season 19-3 in conference play, making this the first shared regular season trophy in the MIAA since 2007-08 and the eighth all time. Missouri Southern is playing as the No. 1 seed in the tournament thanks to its 54-41 win over then-No. 2 Fort Hays State in Hays (1/20/22). Over the last 10 years (since 2012-13), the Tigers have played with a chance to avenge a prior loss in the same season 23 times. FHSU is 15-8 in those games. Shorten the timeframe to five seasons and the Tigers are 10-3 in such contests. As the lower seed, the Tigers are expected to wear their black jerseys, which could be a good sign as they are 13-0 in their dark uniforms this season. Fort Hays State is playing in its fifth MIAA championship game, including appearances in four of the last five conference finales. No other program has appeared in more than two title games over the last five years. The Tigers are 1-3 on Championship Sunday, with the one win coming in 2019 against Central Missouri, 63-56. Fort Hays State dropped last year's title game against Nebraska-Kearney at home, 57-51. This is Missouri Southern's fourth title game appearance, and the first since 1996. The Lions are 2-1 in championship game opportunities. The Tigers are 4-0 all-time against MSSU in the tournament, including a 2-0 mark in KC. The Tigers are 18-11 all-time in the tournament, 2-0 when playing as the No. 2 seed, 0-2 when playing the No. 1 seed and 13-10 in Municipal Auditorium. With a win, head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1043">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;would become the 10th coach to win multiple MIAA tournament championships. Hobson has 18 wins in the tournament, fifth-most all-time. The Tigers are 36-19 all-time against Missouri Southern. The teams have played two neutral site games, with FHSU winning both. Fort Hays State is&nbsp;17-7 against MSSU under Hobson, including a 2-0 record on a neutral floor. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;is averaging 18.5 points per game this tournament, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;chipping in 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;totaling 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;contributing 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists each night and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;collecting 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. The Tigers have turned the ball over just 17 times through two games in KC, an average of just 8.5 per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🔈 LISTEN - MIAA co-champs battle for tourney title

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State led for just over 35 minutes against Northwest Missouri State on Saturday at Municipal Auditorium. However, the 21st-ranked Tigers went cold from the field late and the 15th-ranked Bearcats slipped past with just over two minutes to play. Northwest Missouri State was able to escape with a 53-50 win, moving to 27-5 overall on the season. FHSU moved to 23-6 overall. Fort Hays State came out with fierce intensity in the first half and built a 12-point lead at 21-9 just over nine minutes into the contest. However, the Bearcats withstood the early flurry from the Tigers and went on a 7-0 run to get back in the game. FHSU stretched its lead to 11 with 3:47 remaining before the half, but NWMSU closed the half on a 7-2 run to get the lead down to six at halftime, 29-23.

Northwest Missouri managed to whittle the lead down to just two with 18:09 to go, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;answered with a big 3-point jumper. Moments later, a hook shot from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;and another three from Wright pushed the Tiger lead out to eight just over four minutes into the second half. The Bearcats kept chipping away and got the lead down to one with 11:22 remaining, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6462">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;had the answer with another big 3-point make.

The Tigers used a 6-0 run to get their lead back to eight with eight minutes to go, fueled by baskets from Vitztum, Wright, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>. But that unfortunately would be the last time FHSU scored in the game. They held a 50-42 lead with eight minutes to go. The Tiger defense has been solid all season, limiting their opponents to less than 60 points in a game 22 times going into Saturday. They did it again, but they could not hit just a few shots they needed down the stretch the hold the defending national champions off.

Northwest Missouri State found a way to get to the free-throw line six times between the 6:13 and 3:18 marks, going 5-of-6 in that stretch. Throw in a two-point field goal during that stretch and the Tiger lead sat at just one with three minutes to play. After an offensive foul by the Tigers, the Bearcats broke through when Trevor Hudgins drove to the bucket for a layup that put them up 51-50 with two minutes to go. The Tigers let the Bearcats wind the clock down late and got the missed shot they needed, but could not secure a rebound with about 10 seconds remaining and the loose ball was finally secured with three seconds remaining by the Bearcats. Byron Alexander hit a pair of free throws to give the Bearcats a three-point lead. The Tigers were able to get the ball over half court on the inbounds and called timeout to set up a final chance. Jonsson's last second-heave at the buzzer was just long off the back iron as the Bearcats won the intense battle in front of nearly 3,000 fans. The Tigers outscored the Bearcats by 14 on shots from the field, going 22-of-52 from the field. The Bearcats were just 16-of-42 and had two less 3-point field goals than the Tigers. But the Bearcats shot 20 free throws and made 17, while the Tigers did not attempt any free throws throughout the game. That was enough for the Bearcats to overcome the large deficit in points on field goals. Vitztum and Wright finished with 12 points each to lead the Tigers, while Jonsson and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6466">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;each had 10. Vitztum led the Tigers in rebounds with eight and Hammeke dished out a team-high six assists. Hudgins led NWMSU with 13 points, although the Tigers gave him fits from beyond the 3-point line once again where he was just 1-of-9. Wes Dreamer also reached double figures with 12. The Tigers now await their fate on Sunday night during the NCAA Selection Show at 9:30 pm. With Minnesota State-Moorhead already stealing one of eight tournament bids with the NSIC automatic qualifier, and both GAC teams that were inside the top eight of the region rankings already eliminated from their conference tournament, the Tigers are hoping that their tremendous 23-6 season is enough to get an at-large bid. Northwest Missouri State and Washburn will battle on Sunday for the MIAA's automatic qualifier.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646545697963.jpeg" alt="Nyjee Wright attempts a shot over NW Missouri State Luke Waters in the MIAA Tournament semifinals (courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Hietmann)" />
 <figcaption>Nyjee Wright attempts a shot over NW Missouri State Luke Waters in the MIAA Tournament semifinals (courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Hietmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State led for just over 35 minutes against Northwest Missouri State on Saturday at Municipal Auditorium. However, the 21st-ranked Tigers went cold from the field late and the 15th-ranked Bearcats slipped past with just over two minutes to play. Northwest Missouri State was able to escape with a 53-50 win, moving to 27-5 overall on the season. FHSU moved to 23-6 overall. Fort Hays State came out with fierce intensity in the first half and built a 12-point lead at 21-9 just over nine minutes into the contest. However, the Bearcats withstood the early flurry from the Tigers and went on a 7-0 run to get back in the game. FHSU stretched its lead to 11 with 3:47 remaining before the half, but NWMSU closed the half on a 7-2 run to get the lead down to six at halftime, 29-23.<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/1227293914&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-814667509/3-5-22-fhsu-mbb-media-room-players-int" title="FHSU Postgame Press Conference vs. NW Missouri State (Mar 5, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">FHSU Postgame Press Conference vs. NW Missouri State (Mar 5, 2022)</a></div></div>Northwest Missouri managed to whittle the lead down to just two with 18:09 to go, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;answered with a big 3-point jumper. Moments later, a hook shot from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;and another three from Wright pushed the Tiger lead out to eight just over four minutes into the second half. The Bearcats kept chipping away and got the lead down to one with 11:22 remaining, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6462">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;had the answer with another big 3-point make.<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/1227290770&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-814667509/3-5-22-fhsu-mbb-assistant-coach-int" title="Asst. Coach Jeremy Brown Postgame vs. #15 NW Missouri State (Mar 5, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Asst. Coach Jeremy Brown Postgame vs. #15 NW Missouri State (Mar 5, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers used a 6-0 run to get their lead back to eight with eight minutes to go, fueled by baskets from Vitztum, Wright, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>. But that unfortunately would be the last time FHSU scored in the game. They held a 50-42 lead with eight minutes to go. The Tiger defense has been solid all season, limiting their opponents to less than 60 points in a game 22 times going into Saturday. They did it again, but they could not hit just a few shots they needed down the stretch the hold the defending national champions off.<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/1227293905&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-814667509/3-5-22-fhsu-mbb-v-nw-miss-st-hilights" title="#21 Fort Hays State MBB vs. #15 NW Missouri State (Mar 5, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#21 Fort Hays State MBB vs. #15 NW Missouri State (Mar 5, 2022)</a></div></div>Northwest Missouri State found a way to get to the free-throw line six times between the 6:13 and 3:18 marks, going 5-of-6 in that stretch. Throw in a two-point field goal during that stretch and the Tiger lead sat at just one with three minutes to play. After an offensive foul by the Tigers, the Bearcats broke through when Trevor Hudgins drove to the bucket for a layup that put them up 51-50 with two minutes to go. The Tigers let the Bearcats wind the clock down late and got the missed shot they needed, but could not secure a rebound with about 10 seconds remaining and the loose ball was finally secured with three seconds remaining by the Bearcats. Byron Alexander hit a pair of free throws to give the Bearcats a three-point lead. The Tigers were able to get the ball over half court on the inbounds and called timeout to set up a final chance. Jonsson's last second-heave at the buzzer was just long off the back iron as the Bearcats won the intense battle in front of nearly 3,000 fans. The Tigers outscored the Bearcats by 14 on shots from the field, going 22-of-52 from the field. The Bearcats were just 16-of-42 and had two less 3-point field goals than the Tigers. But the Bearcats shot 20 free throws and made 17, while the Tigers did not attempt any free throws throughout the game. That was enough for the Bearcats to overcome the large deficit in points on field goals. Vitztum and Wright finished with 12 points each to lead the Tigers, while Jonsson and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6466">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;each had 10. Vitztum led the Tigers in rebounds with eight and Hammeke dished out a team-high six assists. Hudgins led NWMSU with 13 points, although the Tigers gave him fits from beyond the 3-point line once again where he was just 1-of-9. Wes Dreamer also reached double figures with 12. The Tigers now await their fate on Sunday night during the NCAA Selection Show at 9:30 pm. With Minnesota State-Moorhead already stealing one of eight tournament bids with the NSIC automatic qualifier, and both GAC teams that were inside the top eight of the region rankings already eliminated from their conference tournament, the Tigers are hoping that their tremendous 23-6 season is enough to get an at-large bid. Northwest Missouri State and Washburn will battle on Sunday for the MIAA's automatic qualifier.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Late rally carries Bearcats past FHSU in MIAA semifinals

GOODLAND -&nbsp;For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last
five seasons the TMP-Marian boys have qualified for the 3A state tournament
after they hold off MCL rival Norton Saturday 47-39 to claim the Goodland sub-state
championship.

After taking an early 2-0 lead TMP (19-4) found themselves down 8-4
in a low scoring first half. Bryce Seib hit a 3-pointer that put TMP up 9-8 and
helped to spark a 12-4 run to end the first half giving TMP a 16-12 lead at halftime.

TMP led by five twice to start the second half but Norton (14-8) was able to chip away at the lead and tied the game at 19. That was one of
three different ties down the stretch in the third quarter, including a 27-27
tie at the end of the third quarter.

Kenton Ginther hit his first of two fourth quarter 3-pointers
to open the fourth quarter that briefly put TMP up 30-27.

Norton was able to tie the game again at 32-32 with 5:22 to
play in the game. But Ginther drained his second 3-pointer of the game on the
ensuing possession with 5:05 left to play in the game putting TMP up 35-32 and
they never trailed the rest of the way.

Kade Harris got a steal and layup on the next Norton possession
putting TMP up 37-32.

Those two field goals sparked a 15-7 run over the final five
minutes and five seconds of the game as the Monarchs secured the 47-39 victory.

TMP’s Dylan Werth led all scorers with 12 points and Gavin
Unrein added 10 points for the Monarchs.

The Monarchs will either be the six of seven seed in next
week’s 3A state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646544980964.jpeg" alt="TMP claimed their second straight sub-state championship Saturday with a win over Norton.&nbsp;(Courtesy Bluejay Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>TMP claimed their second straight sub-state championship Saturday with a win over Norton.&nbsp;(Courtesy Bluejay Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>GOODLAND -&nbsp;For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last
five seasons the TMP-Marian boys have qualified for the 3A state tournament
after they hold off MCL rival Norton Saturday 47-39 to claim the Goodland sub-state
championship.<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/1227249472&color=%23294b71&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/tmp-coach-int-3-5-23" title="3-5-2022 - TMP coach Bill Meagher" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">3-5-2022 - TMP coach Bill Meagher</a></div></div>After taking an early 2-0 lead TMP (19-4) found themselves down 8-4
in a low scoring first half. Bryce Seib hit a 3-pointer that put TMP up 9-8 and
helped to spark a 12-4 run to end the first half giving TMP a 16-12 lead at halftime.TMP led by five twice to start the second half but Norton (14-8) was able to chip away at the lead and tied the game at 19. That was one of
three different ties down the stretch in the third quarter, including a 27-27
tie at the end of the third quarter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646545282729.jpeg" alt="TMP's Gavin Unrein shots a layup in the Monarchs win Saturday vs Norton.&nbsp;(Courtesy Bluejay Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>TMP's Gavin Unrein shots a layup in the Monarchs win Saturday vs Norton.&nbsp;(Courtesy Bluejay Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kenton Ginther hit his first of two fourth quarter 3-pointers
to open the fourth quarter that briefly put TMP up 30-27.Norton was able to tie the game again at 32-32 with 5:22 to
play in the game. But Ginther drained his second 3-pointer of the game on the
ensuing possession with 5:05 left to play in the game putting TMP up 35-32 and
they never trailed the rest of the way.Kade Harris got a steal and layup on the next Norton possession
putting TMP up 37-32.Those two field goals sparked a 15-7 run over the final five
minutes and five seconds of the game as the Monarchs secured the 47-39 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/1227249442&color=%23294b71&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/tmp-norton-highlights-3-5-22" title="3-5-2022 TMP boys highlights vs Norton" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">3-5-2022 TMP boys highlights vs Norton</a></div></div>TMP’s Dylan Werth led all scorers with 12 points and Gavin
Unrein added 10 points for the Monarchs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646545261827.jpeg" alt="TMP's Dylan Werth challenges Norton's Drake Harding's shot.&nbsp;(Courtesy Bluejay Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>TMP's Dylan Werth challenges Norton's Drake Harding's shot.&nbsp;(Courtesy Bluejay Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Monarchs will either be the six of seven seed in next
week’s 3A state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

🏀TMP boys headed back to state with sub-state championship

Hays High hit the road for their first sub-state championship game since 2019 as they visited #1 Salina Central Saturday evening. The Indians grabbed the eight seed with a 12-8 regular season and advance to the championship with a 37-35 win over Maize South. The Mustangs entered undefeated at 21-0 and the top seed in 5A West. Salina Central beat Hays 68-43 in last game of January.

Hays never had the lead as Central opened the game on a 7-1 run. The Indians closed the gap down to four points twice in the first quarter but missed on a good look at three each time. The Mustangs led 15-8 after one quarter and pushed the lead to nine early in the second.

Carly Lang knocked down a pair of free throws with 4:30 left before halftime at 22-14. The Indians wouldn't score again in the second quarter. The Mustangs closed out the time on a 12-0 run for a 34-14 lead at halftime.

Hays didn't score for the first 2:45 of the third quarter before Jersey Johnson made a pair of free throws. The Indians went 8:35 between field goals from the second to third quarter while Central built their lead. The Mustangs led 53-26 after the third quarter and led by more than thirty in the fourth quarter for a continuous clock ending to the game at 63-33.

Molly Martin led the Indians with 12 points. Aubrie Kierscht scored a game high 29, which included five three pointers.

Hays ends their season at 13-9. It is the first winning season for the Indians since 2018-19. Salina Central moves on to the state tournament at 22-0.

Hays High hit the road for their first sub-state championship game since 2019 as they visited #1 Salina Central Saturday evening. The Indians grabbed the eight seed with a 12-8 regular season and advance to the championship with a 37-35 win over Maize South. The Mustangs entered undefeated at 21-0 and the top seed in 5A West. Salina Central beat Hays 68-43 in last game of January.Hays 33 - #1 Salina Central 63Hays never had the lead as Central opened the game on a 7-1 run. The Indians closed the gap down to four points twice in the first quarter but missed on a good look at three each time. The Mustangs led 15-8 after one quarter and pushed the lead to nine early in the second.Carly Lang knocked down a pair of free throws with 4:30 left before halftime at 22-14. The Indians wouldn't score again in the second quarter. The Mustangs closed out the time on a 12-0 run for a 34-14 lead at halftime.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1227245503&color=%23ff5500&inverse=false&auto_play=false&show_user=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-814667509/03-05-22-hhs-wbb-vs-salina-central-highlights" title="03 - 05 - 22 HHS WBB Vs Salina Central Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 05 - 22 HHS WBB Vs Salina Central Highlights</a></div></div>Hays didn't score for the first 2:45 of the third quarter before Jersey Johnson made a pair of free throws. The Indians went 8:35 between field goals from the second to third quarter while Central built their lead. The Mustangs led 53-26 after the third quarter and led by more than thirty in the fourth quarter for a continuous clock ending to the game at 63-33.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1227245485&color=%23ff5500&inverse=false&auto_play=false&show_user=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-814667509/03-05-22-coach-len-melvin-interview" title="03 - 05 - 22 Coach Len Melvin Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 05 - 22 Coach Len Melvin Interview</a></div></div>Molly Martin led the Indians with 12 points. Aubrie Kierscht scored a game high 29, which included five three pointers.Hays ends their season at 13-9. It is the first winning season for the Indians since 2018-19. Salina Central moves on to the state tournament at 22-0.

#1 Salina Central too much for Hays in sub-state championship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State is back in the MIAA Tournament Championship game for the second straight year after a 56-46 win over Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinals on Saturday. The No. 5 ranked Tigers moved to 27-3 overall, while the Lopers moved to 23-7. The Tigers will face Missouri Southern in the championship game on Sunday at 1 pm, a team they tied for the MIAA regular season title. The Lopers held the early advantage by building a seven-point lead in the first quarter at 14-7 with 3:44 remaining. However, the Tigers closed the quarter on a 7-3 run to get back within three at 17-14.

The Tigers extended that late first quarter run by going on a 12-0 run to open the second quarter. By hitting the final bucket of the first quarter, the Tigers completed a 14-0 run overall, taking a 26-17 lead. The Lopers cut the lead back to four momentarily, but the Tigers eventually took a six-point lead into halftime at 30-24.

The Tigers put the hammer down out of halftime by scoring the first nine points after the break.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;accounted for the first seven, hitting a layup, a 3-point field goal, and a pair of free throws.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;completed the Tiger run with a two-point jumper, putting the Tigers up 15 at 39-24. The Lopers countered that with a 12-2 run to get the lead down to five, but a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;driving layup put the Tigers up seven, 43-36 going into the fourth quarter.

The Lopers scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, getting the Tiger lead down to just three, but Randall hit a big 3-point jumper to push the lead back to six. Up just five with 1:52 to go,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;hit a big jumper at the top of the key to give the Tigers breathing room with a seven-point lead. UNK never got closer than five points the rest of the way as the Tigers closed out the game 5-of-6 at the free-throw line inside the final minute. Randall finished with a team-best 20 points for the Tigers, while Hobbs and West each had 10 points. Wagner nearly had a double-double, finishing with a team-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points. West led the Tigers in assists with four. No Lopers reached double figures in scoring, the most points coming from Sarah Schmitt with eight. Elisa Backes and Klaire Kirsch each had seven. This will be Fort Hays State's fourth appearance in the championship game over the last five years. The Tigers are looking for their first conference tournament title since 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646542828247.jpeg" alt="Katie Wagner pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds in FHSU's win over Nebraska-Kearney in Saturday's MIAA Tournament semifinals at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Katie Wagner pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds in FHSU's win over Nebraska-Kearney in Saturday's MIAA Tournament semifinals at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State is back in the MIAA Tournament Championship game for the second straight year after a 56-46 win over Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinals on Saturday. The No. 5 ranked Tigers moved to 27-3 overall, while the Lopers moved to 23-7. The Tigers will face Missouri Southern in the championship game on Sunday at 1 pm, a team they tied for the MIAA regular season title. The Lopers held the early advantage by building a seven-point lead in the first quarter at 14-7 with 3:44 remaining. However, the Tigers closed the quarter on a 7-3 run to get back within three at 17-14.<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/1227180058&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-814667509/3-5-22-fhsu-wbb-coach-int" title="Fort Hays State Press Conference vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Mar 5, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State Press Conference vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Mar 5, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers extended that late first quarter run by going on a 12-0 run to open the second quarter. By hitting the final bucket of the first quarter, the Tigers completed a 14-0 run overall, taking a 26-17 lead. The Lopers cut the lead back to four momentarily, but the Tigers eventually took a six-point lead into halftime at 30-24.<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/1227172945&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-814667509/3-5-22-fhsu-wbb-asistant-coach-int" title="Asst. Coach Talia Kahrs Postgame Interview vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Mar 5, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Asst. Coach Talia Kahrs Postgame Interview vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Mar 5, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers put the hammer down out of halftime by scoring the first nine points after the break.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;accounted for the first seven, hitting a layup, a 3-point field goal, and a pair of free throws.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;completed the Tiger run with a two-point jumper, putting the Tigers up 15 at 39-24. The Lopers countered that with a 12-2 run to get the lead down to five, but a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;driving layup put the Tigers up seven, 43-36 going into the fourth quarter.<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/1227180049&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-814667509/3-5-22-fhsu-wbb-v-neb-k-hilights" title="#5 Fort Hays State WBB vs. Nebraska-Kearney Highlights (Mar 5, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#5 Fort Hays State WBB vs. Nebraska-Kearney Highlights (Mar 5, 2022)</a></div></div>The Lopers scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, getting the Tiger lead down to just three, but Randall hit a big 3-point jumper to push the lead back to six. Up just five with 1:52 to go,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;hit a big jumper at the top of the key to give the Tigers breathing room with a seven-point lead. UNK never got closer than five points the rest of the way as the Tigers closed out the game 5-of-6 at the free-throw line inside the final minute. Randall finished with a team-best 20 points for the Tigers, while Hobbs and West each had 10 points. Wagner nearly had a double-double, finishing with a team-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points. West led the Tigers in assists with four. No Lopers reached double figures in scoring, the most points coming from Sarah Schmitt with eight. Elisa Backes and Klaire Kirsch each had seven. This will be Fort Hays State's fourth appearance in the championship game over the last five years. The Tigers are looking for their first conference tournament title since 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tiger women hold off Lopers to advance to MIAA Tourney finals

The Hays High girls travel to Salina to take on Salina Central in the 5A west sub-state with a trip to state on the line Saturday.

The game will tipoff at 6:00 p.m. from Salina Central with the Hertz Renta Car Pregame Show at 5:40 p.m.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/370193">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The Hays High girls travel to Salina to take on Salina Central in the 5A west sub-state with a trip to state on the line Saturday.The game will tipoff at 6:00 p.m. from Salina Central with the Hertz Renta Car Pregame Show at 5:40 p.m.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/370193">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/370193?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High vs Salina Central

The TMP Monarchs take on the Norton Bluejays in the 3A Goodland sub-state championship game Saturday.

Tipoff is set for 5:30p.m. from the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland with the Hertz Renta Car Pregame Show at 5:10p.m.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/370195">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The TMP Monarchs take on the Norton Bluejays in the 3A Goodland sub-state championship game Saturday.Tipoff is set for 5:30p.m. from the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland with the Hertz Renta Car Pregame Show at 5:10p.m.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/370195">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/370195?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian vs Norton

No. 21/RV Fort Hays State (23-5, 17-5 MIAA) vs. No. 15/11 Northwest Missouri State (26-5, 18-4 MIAA) Saturday, March 5 • 8:15 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship Semifinals Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will face Northwest Missouri State for the third time this season on Saturday in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals. Tipoff is set for 8:15 pm at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. The No. 21 ranked Tigers enter at 23-5 overall, while the No. 15 ranked Bearcats are 26-5 overall. Northwest Missouri State, the defending NCAA Division II national champion, won both regular season meetings between the teams and ran its win streak over Fort Hays State to 13 games. That streak dates back to the 2012-13 season, started in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals that season after FHSU won both regular season meetings between the teams. NWMSU won 74-60 in Hays in January, then 57-49 a week ago in Maryville in the regular season finale. The result in Maryville gave Northwest Missouri State its ninth straight MIAA regular season title, which goes back to 2013-14. Fort Hays State was co-champion of the MIAA regular season back in 2012-13, the year before Northwest Missouri State started its impressive string of regular season titles. Fort Hays State is looking for its second win in MIAA Tournament semifinal games. The Tigers are 1-6 so far in the round since joining the MIAA in 2006-07. The only semifinal win for the FHSU men was back in 2011 when it defeated Emporia State. The Tigers went on to win the MIAA Tournament that year by defeating Missouri Southern in the championship game. The Tigers are 0-2 against Northwest Missouri State in MIAA Tournament semifinal games. Both of these teams are inside the Top 8 of the NCAA Central Region rankings. The latest edition produced on March 2 had Northwest Missouri State at No. 4 and Fort Hays State at No. 7. The Tigers are right on the bubble since Minnesota State-Moorhead won the automatic bid from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament, a team that was nowhere to be found in any of the region rankings released this season. That leaves the MIAA and GAC automatic qualifiers left to claim, and five at-large bids. Southeastern Oklahoma State is the only GAC team inside the Top 7 at No. 6 in the region. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;continues to lead FHSU at 16.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. With 24 points in the quarterfinal game against Missouri Southern on Friday night, Vitztum moved up to fourth on the all-time scoring list at FHSU with 1,568 points. He pulled down 16 rebounds to elevate his career total to 936, now just 44 shy of the school record 980 held by Barton Snow. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;each scored 14 points in the quarterfinal win. Hammeke averages 14.4 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per game. Wright is adding 11.1 points per contest. Fort Hays State continues to rank second nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 56.7 points per game. FHSU limited Missouri Southern to just 55 points in the quarterfinals, the 22nd&nbsp;time its has held an opponent under 60 points this season. FHSU held Northwest Missouri State to less than 60 last week in Maryville even though it resulted in a loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646496689444.jpeg" alt="Gabe Pieschl tied a season-high in rebounds in FHSU's quarterfinal round win over Missouri Southern at the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Gabe Pieschl tied a season-high in rebounds in FHSU's quarterfinal round win over Missouri Southern at the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>No. 21/RV Fort Hays State (23-5, 17-5 MIAA) vs. No. 15/11 Northwest Missouri State (26-5, 18-4 MIAA) Saturday, March 5 • 8:15 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship Semifinals Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will face Northwest Missouri State for the third time this season on Saturday in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals. Tipoff is set for 8:15 pm at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. The No. 21 ranked Tigers enter at 23-5 overall, while the No. 15 ranked Bearcats are 26-5 overall. Northwest Missouri State, the defending NCAA Division II national champion, won both regular season meetings between the teams and ran its win streak over Fort Hays State to 13 games. That streak dates back to the 2012-13 season, started in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals that season after FHSU won both regular season meetings between the teams. NWMSU won 74-60 in Hays in January, then 57-49 a week ago in Maryville in the regular season finale. The result in Maryville gave Northwest Missouri State its ninth straight MIAA regular season title, which goes back to 2013-14. Fort Hays State was co-champion of the MIAA regular season back in 2012-13, the year before Northwest Missouri State started its impressive string of regular season titles. Fort Hays State is looking for its second win in MIAA Tournament semifinal games. The Tigers are 1-6 so far in the round since joining the MIAA in 2006-07. The only semifinal win for the FHSU men was back in 2011 when it defeated Emporia State. The Tigers went on to win the MIAA Tournament that year by defeating Missouri Southern in the championship game. The Tigers are 0-2 against Northwest Missouri State in MIAA Tournament semifinal games. Both of these teams are inside the Top 8 of the NCAA Central Region rankings. The latest edition produced on March 2 had Northwest Missouri State at No. 4 and Fort Hays State at No. 7. The Tigers are right on the bubble since Minnesota State-Moorhead won the automatic bid from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament, a team that was nowhere to be found in any of the region rankings released this season. That leaves the MIAA and GAC automatic qualifiers left to claim, and five at-large bids. Southeastern Oklahoma State is the only GAC team inside the Top 7 at No. 6 in the region. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;continues to lead FHSU at 16.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. With 24 points in the quarterfinal game against Missouri Southern on Friday night, Vitztum moved up to fourth on the all-time scoring list at FHSU with 1,568 points. He pulled down 16 rebounds to elevate his career total to 936, now just 44 shy of the school record 980 held by Barton Snow. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;each scored 14 points in the quarterfinal win. Hammeke averages 14.4 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per game. Wright is adding 11.1 points per contest. Fort Hays State continues to rank second nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 56.7 points per game. FHSU limited Missouri Southern to just 55 points in the quarterfinals, the 22nd&nbsp;time its has held an opponent under 60 points this season. FHSU held Northwest Missouri State to less than 60 last week in Maryville even though it resulted in a loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🔈 LISTEN - Nationally ranked matchup in MIAA semis between FHSU and NWMSU

No. 5/6 Fort Hays State (26-3, 19-3 MIAA) vs. Nebraska-Kearney (23-6, 17-5 MIAA) Saturday, March 5 • 2:15 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust Semifinals Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The Fort Hays State women's basketball team, ranked fifth in the nation and first in the central region, will take on long-time rival Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinal round of the 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust on Saturday (March 5). First tip between the No. 2 seed Tigers and the No. 3 seed Lopers is set for 2:15 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo. This is the 100th all-time meeting between the Tigers and Lopers, and just the third to be played on a neutral floor. Fort Hays State leads the series handily, 59-40, but the Tigers hold a narrow 6-5 lead over the last 11 meetings. Fort Hays State is playing in the semifinals for the fifth time in a row, the longest active streak in the MIAA. This is also the Tigers' ninth trip to the semifinal round over the last 10 tournaments, two more than any other school during that span&nbsp;(ESU 7, UCM 6, WU 3, PSU 3, LWU 3, UNK 3, MWSU&nbsp;3, MSSU 1, UCO 1, SBU 1). The Tigers and Lopers have met in the tournament twice, but never in Kansas City. The Lopers&nbsp;defeated FHSU in the finals last year in Gross Memorial Coliseum, while the Tigers ended UNK's season in the 2014 opening round. Fort Hays State is now 23-16 in the month of March under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1043">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;and 57-41 in games played in the state of Missouri during the Hobson era. The Tigers are 1-0 as the No. 2&nbsp;seed and 1-2 when playing the No. 3 seed. Fort Hays State moved on to the semifinals with a hard-fought 71-63 win over Central Oklahoma, while the Lopers held on to beat Northwest Missouri State 52-47 in the quarterfinals on Friday. The winner of Saturday's contest will move on to face off with either Missouri Southern or Missouri Western in the championship game Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646494117909.jpeg" alt="Lauren West drives to the basket during the Tiger's quarterfinal round game vs. Central Oklahoma (Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Lauren West drives to the basket during the Tiger's quarterfinal round game vs. Central Oklahoma (Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>No. 5/6 Fort Hays State (26-3, 19-3 MIAA) vs. Nebraska-Kearney (23-6, 17-5 MIAA) Saturday, March 5 • 2:15 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust Semifinals Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The Fort Hays State women's basketball team, ranked fifth in the nation and first in the central region, will take on long-time rival Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinal round of the 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust on Saturday (March 5). First tip between the No. 2 seed Tigers and the No. 3 seed Lopers is set for 2:15 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo. This is the 100th all-time meeting between the Tigers and Lopers, and just the third to be played on a neutral floor. Fort Hays State leads the series handily, 59-40, but the Tigers hold a narrow 6-5 lead over the last 11 meetings. Fort Hays State is playing in the semifinals for the fifth time in a row, the longest active streak in the MIAA. This is also the Tigers' ninth trip to the semifinal round over the last 10 tournaments, two more than any other school during that span&nbsp;(ESU 7, UCM 6, WU 3, PSU 3, LWU 3, UNK 3, MWSU&nbsp;3, MSSU 1, UCO 1, SBU 1). The Tigers and Lopers have met in the tournament twice, but never in Kansas City. The Lopers&nbsp;defeated FHSU in the finals last year in Gross Memorial Coliseum, while the Tigers ended UNK's season in the 2014 opening round. Fort Hays State is now 23-16 in the month of March under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1043">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;and 57-41 in games played in the state of Missouri during the Hobson era. The Tigers are 1-0 as the No. 2&nbsp;seed and 1-2 when playing the No. 3 seed. Fort Hays State moved on to the semifinals with a hard-fought 71-63 win over Central Oklahoma, while the Lopers held on to beat Northwest Missouri State 52-47 in the quarterfinals on Friday. The winner of Saturday's contest will move on to face off with either Missouri Southern or Missouri Western in the championship game Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

🏀🔈 LISTEN - Tigers, Lopers ready for 100th all-time meeting in MIAA semis

GOODLAND – The Phillipsburg Panthers used a big first-half
run and the TMP Lady Monarchs could not overcome a rough shooting night as they
see their season come to an end with a 56-46 loss to Phillipsburg in the 3A
Goodland sub-state semifinals.

Emilee Lane gave TMP an early 2-0 lead only to see
Phillipsburg answer with an 8-0 to take a 12-4 lead. 

The Panthers led 14-8 in the closing minutes of the first
quarter but TMP’s Megan Hamel converted on a layup. Lane scored on a driving
layup and then Hannah Garcia stole the inbound pass and passed off to Jaci
VonLintel who scored as time expired tying the game at 14 through the first
quarter.

Hamel knocked in the only 3-pointer of the first half for TMP
that sparked a 7-2 run to open the second quarter and put TMP up 21-16.

Then with 4:30 left in the first-half Lane picked up her
second foul and went to the bench. Over the final four and a half minutes, with
Lane on the bench, Phillipsburg outscored TMP 10-1 and took a 26-22 lead into
the halftime break.

The Panthers scored the first seven points of the
second-half to extend the run to 17-1 and take a 33-17 lead.

The Monarchs closed within two, at 33-31 thanks to a 9-0 run
but trailed 41-38 at the end of the third quarter. 

TMP briefly got within three in the fourth quarter but
Phillipsburg outscored TMP 15-8 to close out the fourth quarter and secure the
56-46 win.

Jaci VonLintel led TMP with 16 points. Emilee Lane finished
with 15 points and six rebounds. 

Lane finished her career with 992 total points and more than
720 career rebounds.

GOODLAND – The Phillipsburg Panthers used a big first-half
run and the TMP Lady Monarchs could not overcome a rough shooting night as they
see their season come to an end with a 56-46 loss to Phillipsburg in the 3A
Goodland sub-state semifinals.<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/1226780656&color=%23294b71&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-814667509/3-4-22-tmp-coach-rose" title="3-4-22 TMP coach Rose McFarland" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">3-4-22 TMP coach Rose McFarland</a></div></div>Emilee Lane gave TMP an early 2-0 lead only to see
Phillipsburg answer with an 8-0 to take a 12-4 lead. The Panthers led 14-8 in the closing minutes of the first
quarter but TMP’s Megan Hamel converted on a layup. Lane scored on a driving
layup and then Hannah Garcia stole the inbound pass and passed off to Jaci
VonLintel who scored as time expired tying the game at 14 through the first
quarter.Hamel knocked in the only 3-pointer of the first half for TMP
that sparked a 7-2 run to open the second quarter and put TMP up 21-16.Then with 4:30 left in the first-half Lane picked up her
second foul and went to the bench. Over the final four and a half minutes, with
Lane on the bench, Phillipsburg outscored TMP 10-1 and took a 26-22 lead into
the halftime break.The Panthers scored the first seven points of the
second-half to extend the run to 17-1 and take a 33-17 lead.The Monarchs closed within two, at 33-31 thanks to a 9-0 run
but trailed 41-38 at the end of the third quarter. TMP briefly got within three in the fourth quarter but
Phillipsburg outscored TMP 15-8 to close out the fourth quarter and secure the
56-46 win.<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/1226780581&color=%23294b71&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-814667509/3-4-22-tmp-wbb-vs-phillipsburg" title="3-4-22 TMP WBB Vs Phillipsburg highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">3-4-22 TMP WBB Vs Phillipsburg highlights</a></div></div>Jaci VonLintel led TMP with 16 points. Emilee Lane finished
with 15 points and six rebounds. Lane finished her career with 992 total points and more than
720 career rebounds.

🏀TMP girls end season with sub-state semifinal loss

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State moved on to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on Friday night (Mar. 4) with a 71-55 win over Missouri Southern. The No. 3 seeded Tigers fought off an early 10-point deficit and stormed past the No. 6 seed Lions for a 35-30 halftime lead thanks to a 13-0 run at the end of the first half. The Tigers went on to lead the entire second half and won by 16. The Tigers, ranked No. 21 in the latest NABC Top 25 Poll, scored only six points in the first nine minutes, struggling to a 1-of-9 clip from the field to start. In that span, Missouri Southern built a 10-point lead at 16-6. Down eight with 3:55 remaining in the first half, the Tigers went on a tear and scored the final 13 points of the half to take their five-point lead to the locker room. After the 1-of-9 start, the Tigers finished the half at 50 percent from the field (11-of-22), hitting 10 of their last 13 shots of the half.

The Tigers carried their momentum through to the opening of the second half when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;hit a 3-point field goal right away. The run carried over from the first half culminated at 18-0 on a jumper by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6462">Bjarni Jonsson</a>, putting the Tigers up 40-30.

Missouri Southern chipped away at the lead a bit and then went to a zone about midway through the second half. But the Tigers were still able to hit big shots in the gaps of the defense, never allowing the Lions closer than seven points the rest of the way. A step back 3-point jumper by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;was a dagger with 3:18 to play, pushing the Tiger lead up to 14. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>, who was big in the first half for the Tigers with 15 points, finished with 24 on 8-of-15 shooting from the field with three 3-point field goals. He had five points at the free-throw line. He produced another big double-double, pulling down a game-high 16 rebounds. He also tied for top assist honors on the team with Wright, each with four.

Wright and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;finished with 14 points each. Wright, like Vitztum, hit three 3-point field goals.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6467">Quinten Rock</a>&nbsp;provided a big spark off the bench in the second half by hitting a couple of 3-point field goals and finished with eight points. Stan Scott played all 40 minutes for the Lions and scored 20 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. RJ Smith had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Christian Bundy was just shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Avery Taggart reached double figures with 10 points. The Lions played only six players the entire game. Fort Hays State will take on Northwest Missouri State in the semifinals on Saturday night (Mar. 5) at 8:15 pm. The Bearcats won both regular season meetings with the Tigers, the most recent being last Saturday in Maryville in a game that decided one of the MIAA regular season champions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646459576449.jpeg" alt="Jared Vitztum scored 24 points and had 16 rebounds in FHSU's quarterfinal round win over Missouri Southern in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals Friday night at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Jared Vitztum scored 24 points and had 16 rebounds in FHSU's quarterfinal round win over Missouri Southern in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals Friday night at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State moved on to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on Friday night (Mar. 4) with a 71-55 win over Missouri Southern. The No. 3 seeded Tigers fought off an early 10-point deficit and stormed past the No. 6 seed Lions for a 35-30 halftime lead thanks to a 13-0 run at the end of the first half. The Tigers went on to lead the entire second half and won by 16. The Tigers, ranked No. 21 in the latest NABC Top 25 Poll, scored only six points in the first nine minutes, struggling to a 1-of-9 clip from the field to start. In that span, Missouri Southern built a 10-point lead at 16-6. Down eight with 3:55 remaining in the first half, the Tigers went on a tear and scored the final 13 points of the half to take their five-point lead to the locker room. After the 1-of-9 start, the Tigers finished the half at 50 percent from the field (11-of-22), hitting 10 of their last 13 shots of the half.<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/1226753419&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-814667509/03-04-22-fhsu-men-presser" title="Mark Johnson Postgame Press Conference vs. Missouri Southern State (Mar 4, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame Press Conference vs. Missouri Southern State (Mar 4, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers carried their momentum through to the opening of the second half when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;hit a 3-point field goal right away. The run carried over from the first half culminated at 18-0 on a jumper by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6462">Bjarni Jonsson</a>, putting the Tigers up 40-30.<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/1226753476&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-814667509/03-04-22-fhsu-men-asst-coach-int" title="Asst. coach Jeremy Brown Postgame vs. Missouri Southern (Mar 4, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Asst. coach Jeremy Brown Postgame vs. Missouri Southern (Mar 4, 2022)</a></div></div>Missouri Southern chipped away at the lead a bit and then went to a zone about midway through the second half. But the Tigers were still able to hit big shots in the gaps of the defense, never allowing the Lions closer than seven points the rest of the way. A step back 3-point jumper by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;was a dagger with 3:18 to play, pushing the Tiger lead up to 14. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>, who was big in the first half for the Tigers with 15 points, finished with 24 on 8-of-15 shooting from the field with three 3-point field goals. He had five points at the free-throw line. He produced another big double-double, pulling down a game-high 16 rebounds. He also tied for top assist honors on the team with Wright, each with four.<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/1226753452&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-814667509/03-04-22-fhsu-men-highlights" title="#21 Fort Hays State MBB vs. Missouri Southern State Highlights (Mar 4, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#21 Fort Hays State MBB vs. Missouri Southern State Highlights (Mar 4, 2022)</a></div></div>Wright and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;finished with 14 points each. Wright, like Vitztum, hit three 3-point field goals.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6467">Quinten Rock</a>&nbsp;provided a big spark off the bench in the second half by hitting a couple of 3-point field goals and finished with eight points. Stan Scott played all 40 minutes for the Lions and scored 20 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. RJ Smith had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Christian Bundy was just shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Avery Taggart reached double figures with 10 points. The Lions played only six players the entire game. Fort Hays State will take on Northwest Missouri State in the semifinals on Saturday night (Mar. 5) at 8:15 pm. The Bearcats won both regular season meetings with the Tigers, the most recent being last Saturday in Maryville in a game that decided one of the MIAA regular season champions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Late first half run propels Tigers past Lions in MIAA quarters

HAYS - Hays High hosted Topeka Seaman Friday evening for a spot in the 5A State Tournament held in Emporia next week. Hays came in as the top overall seed in 5A West. The Vikings entered as the nine seed, upending eighth seeded Maize South three days prior.

(9) Topeka Seaman 61 - (1) #3 Hays 44

Hays led just one time, three minutes into the game, at 4-2. The Indians wouldn't score again and by the time Seaman finished the next five minutes, the Vikings led 16-4.

Hays was never within single figures rest of the way. Jace Linenberger scored the opening basket of the second quarter at 16-6 and that is as close as the Indians would get rest of the night.&nbsp;

The Vikings built their advantage up to 16 points three different times in before half time and led 27-12 through two quarters.

Seaman pushed the lead to 21 in the third quarter and led 44-28 at the end of three. Hays was outscored 17-16 in each of the second half quarters.

Hays pulled within 14 with three minutes to go, but the Vikings hit four straight free throws to push their advantage back to 18.

Both teams would clear the bench with just under one minutes remaining with Seaman winning 61-44.

Hays finishes their season at 20-2. It is just the fourth 20 win season in program history. They achieved the mark in back-t0=back season. Prior to the prior two seasons Hays won 20 games in the 95-96 and 13-14 seasons. Carson Kieffer scored a team high 14.&nbsp;

Topeka Seaman advances to state at 15-7, winners of their last eight games. They were led in scoring by Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry who each scored 15. Kaeden Bonner added 12.

Hays graduates eight seniors who made 449 game appearances and made 179 starts.

Jace Linenberger ends his career with 938 points, fifth most in program history. He passed Jason Ball during the game. Linenberger landed 461 rebounds, 8th most in school history.&nbsp;

Carson Kieffer ends his career with more than 390 career assists. He is the only player in school history to land in the top ten twice in single season assists and also the only player to land in the top 25 three times.

HAYS - Hays High hosted Topeka Seaman Friday evening for a spot in the 5A State Tournament held in Emporia next week. Hays came in as the top overall seed in 5A West. The Vikings entered as the nine seed, upending eighth seeded Maize South three days prior.(9) Topeka Seaman 61 - (1) #3 Hays 44Hays led just one time, three minutes into the game, at 4-2. The Indians wouldn't score again and by the time Seaman finished the next five minutes, the Vikings led 16-4.Hays was never within single figures rest of the way. Jace Linenberger scored the opening basket of the second quarter at 16-6 and that is as close as the Indians would get rest of the night.&nbsp;The Vikings built their advantage up to 16 points three different times in before half time and led 27-12 through two quarters.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1226694607&color=%23ff5500&inverse=false&auto_play=false&show_user=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-814667509/03-04-22-hhs-mbb-vs-topeka-seaman-highlights" title="03 - 04 - 22 HHS MBB Vs Topeka - Seaman Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 04 - 22 HHS MBB Vs Topeka - Seaman Highlights</a></div></div>Seaman pushed the lead to 21 in the third quarter and led 44-28 at the end of three. Hays was outscored 17-16 in each of the second half quarters.Hays pulled within 14 with three minutes to go, but the Vikings hit four straight free throws to push their advantage back to 18.Both teams would clear the bench with just under one minutes remaining with Seaman winning 61-44.Coach Alex Hutchins<div><iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1226694601&color=%23ff5500&inverse=false&auto_play=false&show_user=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-814667509/03-04-22-coach-alex-hutchins-interview" title="03 - 04 - 22 Coach Alex Hutchins Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 04 - 22 Coach Alex Hutchins Interview</a></div></div>Hays finishes their season at 20-2. It is just the fourth 20 win season in program history. They achieved the mark in back-t0=back season. Prior to the prior two seasons Hays won 20 games in the 95-96 and 13-14 seasons. Carson Kieffer scored a team high 14.&nbsp;Topeka Seaman advances to state at 15-7, winners of their last eight games. They were led in scoring by Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry who each scored 15. Kaeden Bonner added 12.Hays graduates eight seniors who made 449 game appearances and made 179 starts.Jace Linenberger ends his career with 938 points, fifth most in program history. He passed Jason Ball during the game. Linenberger landed 461 rebounds, 8th most in school history.&nbsp;Carson Kieffer ends his career with more than 390 career assists. He is the only player in school history to land in the top ten twice in single season assists and also the only player to land in the top 25 three times.

🏀 Seaman knocks off Hays in sub-state finale

TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State received strong pitching efforts from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6352">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6345">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;and had some timely hitting to pick up a doubleheader sweep of Missouri S&amp;T on Friday at Gahnstrom Field. The Tigers moved to 9-11 on the season with the two wins, while the Miners came back to level at 6-6. Fort Hays State 3, Missouri S&amp;T 0 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6352">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;tossed the first complete-game shutout of her collegiate career and the Tiger bats did enough in the late going to secure a win. Egger allowed six hits, all within the first five innings, and tied her season high in strikeouts with nine. She allowed just two free passes and moved to 4-4 on the season. The Tigers generated their first run in the fifth inning when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6344">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;singled, stole a base, and then scored on an RBI double by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6342">Jessica Espinoza</a>. FHSU added on in the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6350">Kiana Blake</a>&nbsp;led off with a double,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6340">Elise Capra</a>&nbsp;tripled her home, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6339">Sara Breckbill</a>&nbsp;scored Capra on a sacrifice fly. Bryn Wooldridge threw a complete game for the Miners, allowing the three runs on five hits. She also struck out nine. Fort Hays State 3, Missouri S&amp;T 2 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6345">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;also had a strong effort in the circle for the Tigers. The Tigers committed a pair of errors within the first four innings that led to both Miner runs and their 2-0 lead after three and a half innings. However, the Tiger offense lifted her to the good side of the decision line in the fourth by scoring three runs and taking a 3-2 lead. Back-to-back doubles to start the inning by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6355">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6339">Sara Breckbill</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers their first run. Later with two outs,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6635">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;had a clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single to put the Tigers in front. The Tiger defense remained sharp the rest of the way behind Carlson, not allowing any more baserunners past first. Carlson allowed just five hits for the game and both of her runs allowed were unearned. She struck out two and walked one to pick up her first collegiate win. Charlye Rowland took the loss for Missouri S&amp;T in the circle. She surrendered six hits and a walk, while striking out eight in six innings. The Tigers will return to Gahnstrom Field on Saturday to take on Truman in a doubleheader beginning at 3 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646457870720.jpeg" alt="Savanah Egger pitched a complete game shutout in FHSU's game 1 win over Missouri S&amp;T Friday in Topeka. (Courtesy FHSU Atheltics, Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Savanah Egger pitched a complete game shutout in FHSU's game 1 win over Missouri S&amp;T Friday in Topeka. (Courtesy FHSU Atheltics, Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State received strong pitching efforts from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6352">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6345">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;and had some timely hitting to pick up a doubleheader sweep of Missouri S&amp;T on Friday at Gahnstrom Field. The Tigers moved to 9-11 on the season with the two wins, while the Miners came back to level at 6-6. Fort Hays State 3, Missouri S&amp;T 0 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6352">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;tossed the first complete-game shutout of her collegiate career and the Tiger bats did enough in the late going to secure a win. Egger allowed six hits, all within the first five innings, and tied her season high in strikeouts with nine. She allowed just two free passes and moved to 4-4 on the season. The Tigers generated their first run in the fifth inning when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6344">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;singled, stole a base, and then scored on an RBI double by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6342">Jessica Espinoza</a>. FHSU added on in the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6350">Kiana Blake</a>&nbsp;led off with a double,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6340">Elise Capra</a>&nbsp;tripled her home, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6339">Sara Breckbill</a>&nbsp;scored Capra on a sacrifice fly. Bryn Wooldridge threw a complete game for the Miners, allowing the three runs on five hits. She also struck out nine. Fort Hays State 3, Missouri S&amp;T 2 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6345">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;also had a strong effort in the circle for the Tigers. The Tigers committed a pair of errors within the first four innings that led to both Miner runs and their 2-0 lead after three and a half innings. However, the Tiger offense lifted her to the good side of the decision line in the fourth by scoring three runs and taking a 3-2 lead. Back-to-back doubles to start the inning by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6355">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6339">Sara Breckbill</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers their first run. Later with two outs,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6635">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;had a clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single to put the Tigers in front. The Tiger defense remained sharp the rest of the way behind Carlson, not allowing any more baserunners past first. Carlson allowed just five hits for the game and both of her runs allowed were unearned. She struck out two and walked one to pick up her first collegiate win. Charlye Rowland took the loss for Missouri S&amp;T in the circle. She surrendered six hits and a walk, while striking out eight in six innings. The Tigers will return to Gahnstrom Field on Saturday to take on Truman in a doubleheader beginning at 3 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Strong pitching lifts FHSU to sweep of Missouri S&T

HAYS, Kan. - Solid pitching performances from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6625">Sammy Sanchez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6305">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;and timely hits from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6333">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6620">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;helped the Fort Hays State baseball team defeat Emporia State in the first of a three-game series Friday (March 4), 2-0. It was the first shutout victory for the Tigers since February 2020 (2/21/20 vs CSU-Pueblo, 1-0 in 10 inn.). Sanchez (2-1) worked with runners on base much of the afternoon, retiring the side in order only once. But he had no problem getting out of jams, with ESU leaving a total of 11 runners on base, including six in scoring position. The junior collected seven strikeouts after recording eight strikeouts in his last outing, bringing his team-leading total up to 31 this season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6328">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;singled and stole second in the home half of the first, but Emporia State starter Aaron Bechtel worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a&nbsp;fly out. After eight-straight Tigers were retired, Scott had the Tigers back in business with a leadoff single in the fourth. The center fielder moved to third on a pair of ground balls before coming in to score on a two-out, RBI-single from Wallace. The senior first baseman sent a 2-1 pitch through the right side, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. After Sanchez' only one-two-three inning of the game in the top of the fifth, Fort Hays State doubled the lead with a manufactured run in the home half.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6335">Jaxson Webb</a>&nbsp;led off with a solid line drive to left center, bringing up&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6308">Griffin Brunson</a>. The shortstop squared around to bunt four times, but pulled the bat back each time, ultimately striking out. The Tigers opted for the sac bunt again with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6622">Mason Holton</a>&nbsp;at the plate, with the freshman third baseman successfully advancing the runner. Now with two outs, Kehe swung at the first pitch and sent it rolling into right field. Webb sprinted around third, forcing a throw to the plate. The ball came in off line, allowing Webb to easily score. Bechtel regained control after that, retiring the last 10 hitters of the game for the Tigers. Emporia State led off with a single in the sixth before the Tiger defense turned its league-leading 11th double play of the year. The Hornets picked up their first and only extra-base hit in the seventh on a double into the right field corner, but Sanchez got back-to-back ground outs to get out of the inning unscathed. Berg (1) came on in the eighth, giving up a leadoff hit before three consecutive outs got the Tigers out of the inning. The Hornets managed to get the tying run on base in the ninth after a single and a walk, but the junior pitcher got the final three outs on fly balls to right, center and left field. Sanchez did not walk a batter, allowing eight hits and one hit by pitch over 7.0 innings of work. Berg surrendered just two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in his 2.0 innings of work, picking up his first save as a Tiger. Bechtel (1-4) took the loss after striking out eight while throwing a complete game. He gave up five hits and zero walks over 8.0 innings of work. The Tigers will look to clinch a series victory with another win tomorrow in game two, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Larks Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646457663374.jpeg" alt="Sammy Sanchez pitched eight shutout innings in FHSU's series opening win over Emporia State Friday at Larks Park (Courtesy FHSU Atheltics, Nicole Hietmann)" />
 <figcaption>Sammy Sanchez pitched eight shutout innings in FHSU's series opening win over Emporia State Friday at Larks Park (Courtesy FHSU Atheltics, Nicole Hietmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>HAYS, Kan. - Solid pitching performances from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6625">Sammy Sanchez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6305">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;and timely hits from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6333">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6620">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;helped the Fort Hays State baseball team defeat Emporia State in the first of a three-game series Friday (March 4), 2-0. It was the first shutout victory for the Tigers since February 2020 (2/21/20 vs CSU-Pueblo, 1-0 in 10 inn.). Sanchez (2-1) worked with runners on base much of the afternoon, retiring the side in order only once. But he had no problem getting out of jams, with ESU leaving a total of 11 runners on base, including six in scoring position. The junior collected seven strikeouts after recording eight strikeouts in his last outing, bringing his team-leading total up to 31 this season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6328">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;singled and stole second in the home half of the first, but Emporia State starter Aaron Bechtel worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a&nbsp;fly out. After eight-straight Tigers were retired, Scott had the Tigers back in business with a leadoff single in the fourth. The center fielder moved to third on a pair of ground balls before coming in to score on a two-out, RBI-single from Wallace. The senior first baseman sent a 2-1 pitch through the right side, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. After Sanchez' only one-two-three inning of the game in the top of the fifth, Fort Hays State doubled the lead with a manufactured run in the home half.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6335">Jaxson Webb</a>&nbsp;led off with a solid line drive to left center, bringing up&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6308">Griffin Brunson</a>. The shortstop squared around to bunt four times, but pulled the bat back each time, ultimately striking out. The Tigers opted for the sac bunt again with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6622">Mason Holton</a>&nbsp;at the plate, with the freshman third baseman successfully advancing the runner. Now with two outs, Kehe swung at the first pitch and sent it rolling into right field. Webb sprinted around third, forcing a throw to the plate. The ball came in off line, allowing Webb to easily score. Bechtel regained control after that, retiring the last 10 hitters of the game for the Tigers. Emporia State led off with a single in the sixth before the Tiger defense turned its league-leading 11th double play of the year. The Hornets picked up their first and only extra-base hit in the seventh on a double into the right field corner, but Sanchez got back-to-back ground outs to get out of the inning unscathed. Berg (1) came on in the eighth, giving up a leadoff hit before three consecutive outs got the Tigers out of the inning. The Hornets managed to get the tying run on base in the ninth after a single and a walk, but the junior pitcher got the final three outs on fly balls to right, center and left field. Sanchez did not walk a batter, allowing eight hits and one hit by pitch over 7.0 innings of work. Berg surrendered just two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in his 2.0 innings of work, picking up his first save as a Tiger. Bechtel (1-4) took the loss after striking out eight while throwing a complete game. He gave up five hits and zero walks over 8.0 innings of work. The Tigers will look to clinch a series victory with another win tomorrow in game two, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Larks Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Solid pitching carries Tigers past ESU in series opener

The Hays High boys play host to Topeka Seaman in the 5A west sub-state with a trip to state on the line Friday.

The game will tipoff at 6:00 p.m. from Hays High School.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369600">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The Hays High boys play host to Topeka Seaman in the 5A west sub-state with a trip to state on the line Friday.The game will tipoff at 6:00 p.m. from Hays High School.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369600">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369600?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High vs Topeka-Seaman

The TMP Lady Monarchs take on Phillipsburg in the first
girls semifinal game Friday at the 3A Goodland sub-state.

Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. from the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369621">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The TMP Lady Monarchs take on Phillipsburg in the first
girls semifinal game Friday at the 3A Goodland sub-state.Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. from the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369621">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369621?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian vs Phillipsburg

Images courtesy Hays Sports Academy

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646434723384.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Images courtesy Hays Sports Academy

Hays Sports Academy seeking players for 2022 season

No. 21/RV Fort Hays State (22-5, 17-5 MIAA) vs. Missouri Southern (14-14, 11-11 MIAA) Friday, March 4 • 8:15 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship Quarterfinals Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State is the No. 3 seed in this week's MIAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, presented by Citizen's Bank and Trust, held at historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers finished the regular season at 22-5 overall and 17-5 in the MIAA, just one game back of first place in the standings. They will face a 14-14 overall Missouri Southern squad that was also .500 in conference play at 11-11. Game time is set for 8:15 pm on Friday evening (Mar. 4). This is the sixth time the Tigers and Lions have met in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament, as FHSU owns a 4-1 record in the previous quarterfinal matchups. The Tigers have a 5-1 record overall against Missouri Southern in the MIAA Tournament, the only other meeting being in the 2011 championship game that FHSU won by six points. That is the only MIAA Tournament title the Tigers have won since joining the conference in 2006-07. The FHSU men have played Missouri Southern more than any other school in the MIAA Tournament. The Tigers went 7-2 in the month of February to threaten for the MIAA regular season title. The race came down to the final game of the regular season to determine a conference champion between FHSU, Central Oklahoma, and Northwest Missouri State. UCO and NWMSU ended up tying for the regular season title and FHSU finished one game back. With solid play throughout the regular season, the Tigers have earned their way into the NCAA Central Region Rankings. In the first release of the rankings, the Tigers were No. 6, but have been No. 7 in each of the last two releases. The Tigers are right on the cutline to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament since Minnesota State-Moorhead won the NSIC Tournament and took one of the eight spots in next week's Central Regional field. MSU-Moorhead has not been in any of the regional rankings released prior to the conference tournaments. The Fort Hays State men are trying to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015-16. The 22-5 regular season record is Fort Hays State's best since producing that same record during the 2009-10 regular season. FHSU finished at 23-7 that season playing three postseason games (one MIAA Tournament and two NCAA Tournament games). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;continues to lead the Tigers at 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. With 920 career rebounds, he is 60 shy of the record held by Barton Snow (980). His 1,544 points ranks fifth in FHSU men's basketball history. He earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the second straight season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>, the 2021 MIAA Freshman of the Year, earned All-MIAA Second Team honors this season and adds 14.4 points and a team-best 3.7 assists per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>, an honorable mention All-MIAA selection, gives the Tigers three players averaging double figures in scoring at 11 points per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6462">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;was one of five Tigers named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team this season. He has helped the sound defensive Tiger team to the best scoring defense in the MIAA and second-best in the nation at just 56.7 points per game. The Tigers won the only meeting with Missouri Southern in the regular season by a score of 89-71 in Hays on January 20. Vitztum and Hammeke tied for a team-best 22 points each, while Wright added 18.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6464">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;provided an 11-point spark off the bench.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646364441475.jpeg" alt="Nyjee Wright earlier this season against Missouri Southern State. The Tigers play the Lions Friday in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Nyjee Wright earlier this season against Missouri Southern State. The Tigers play the Lions Friday in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>No. 21/RV Fort Hays State (22-5, 17-5 MIAA) vs. Missouri Southern (14-14, 11-11 MIAA) Friday, March 4 • 8:15 p.m. Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship Quarterfinals Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State is the No. 3 seed in this week's MIAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, presented by Citizen's Bank and Trust, held at historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers finished the regular season at 22-5 overall and 17-5 in the MIAA, just one game back of first place in the standings. They will face a 14-14 overall Missouri Southern squad that was also .500 in conference play at 11-11. Game time is set for 8:15 pm on Friday evening (Mar. 4). This is the sixth time the Tigers and Lions have met in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament, as FHSU owns a 4-1 record in the previous quarterfinal matchups. The Tigers have a 5-1 record overall against Missouri Southern in the MIAA Tournament, the only other meeting being in the 2011 championship game that FHSU won by six points. That is the only MIAA Tournament title the Tigers have won since joining the conference in 2006-07. The FHSU men have played Missouri Southern more than any other school in the MIAA Tournament. The Tigers went 7-2 in the month of February to threaten for the MIAA regular season title. The race came down to the final game of the regular season to determine a conference champion between FHSU, Central Oklahoma, and Northwest Missouri State. UCO and NWMSU ended up tying for the regular season title and FHSU finished one game back. With solid play throughout the regular season, the Tigers have earned their way into the NCAA Central Region Rankings. In the first release of the rankings, the Tigers were No. 6, but have been No. 7 in each of the last two releases. The Tigers are right on the cutline to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament since Minnesota State-Moorhead won the NSIC Tournament and took one of the eight spots in next week's Central Regional field. MSU-Moorhead has not been in any of the regional rankings released prior to the conference tournaments. The Fort Hays State men are trying to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015-16. The 22-5 regular season record is Fort Hays State's best since producing that same record during the 2009-10 regular season. FHSU finished at 23-7 that season playing three postseason games (one MIAA Tournament and two NCAA Tournament games). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;continues to lead the Tigers at 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. With 920 career rebounds, he is 60 shy of the record held by Barton Snow (980). His 1,544 points ranks fifth in FHSU men's basketball history. He earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the second straight season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>, the 2021 MIAA Freshman of the Year, earned All-MIAA Second Team honors this season and adds 14.4 points and a team-best 3.7 assists per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>, an honorable mention All-MIAA selection, gives the Tigers three players averaging double figures in scoring at 11 points per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6462">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;was one of five Tigers named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team this season. He has helped the sound defensive Tiger team to the best scoring defense in the MIAA and second-best in the nation at just 56.7 points per game. The Tigers won the only meeting with Missouri Southern in the regular season by a score of 89-71 in Hays on January 20. Vitztum and Hammeke tied for a team-best 22 points each, while Wright added 18.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6464">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;provided an 11-point spark off the bench.

🏀🔈 LISTEN - 3rd-seeded Tigers play MSSU in MIAA Tourney quarterfinals

After an outstanding career at Hays High School, senior Gavin Meyers announced Wednesday he has committed to play football at Kansas State.&nbsp;

Meyers, who was also a standout wrestler — claiming his first state championship last weekend — was named to this year's Kansas Shrine Bowl and was a first-team all-state selection by the Kansas coaches.

He finished his senior season with&nbsp;124 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. Meyers was named to the 5A All State defensive team as a linebacker.

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">COMMITTED <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EMAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EMAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/JA6JBZ43Rb">pic.twitter.com/JA6JBZ43Rb</a>&mdash; Gavin Meyers ༒ (@Gavinmeyers40) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gavinmeyers40/status/1499451038633381905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After an outstanding career at Hays High School, senior Gavin Meyers announced Wednesday he has committed to play football at Kansas State.&nbsp;Meyers, who was also a standout wrestler — claiming his first state championship last weekend — was named to this year's Kansas Shrine Bowl and was a first-team all-state selection by the Kansas coaches.He finished his senior season with&nbsp;124 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. Meyers was named to the 5A All State defensive team as a linebacker.

🏈 Hays High's Meyers commits to K-State

Class 2A= Dexter= Garden Plain 53, Sedan 37 West Elk 46, Bluestem 42, OT

Lyndon= Mission Valley 44, Central Heights 26 Northern Heights 52, Chase County 27

Plainville= Smith Center 53, Hoxie 43 Trego 44, Cheylin 41

Remington= Berean Academy 37, Hillsboro 36 Remington 47, Flinthills 38

Republic County= St. Mary's 48, Wabaunsee 30 Valley Heights 74, Bennington 40

Sublette= Elkhart 75, Ellinwood 56 Sterling 69, Medicine Lodge 32

Uniontown= Pittsburg Colgan 65, Northeast-Arma 25 Uniontown 53, Pleasanton 38 Valley Falls= Jackson Heights 47, Riverside 46 Jefferson North 43, Atchison County 37

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL= Sub-State= Class 4A= West= Sub-State 3= Andale 46, Mulvane 28

Class 3A= Fredonia= Columbus 71, Cherryvale 56 Galena 40, Riverton 30

Goodland= Hays-TMP-Marian 65, Scott City 43 Norton 46, Phillipsburg 37

Kingman= Chaparral 72, Lakin 47 Hugoton 49, Holcomb 46

Minneapolis= Council Grove 40, Beloit 32 Southeast Saline 57, Smoky Valley 42

Nickerson= Cheney 47, Haven 23| Hesston 57, Wichita Collegiate 27

Prairie View= Burlington 61, Frontenac 58 Girard 60, Humboldt 28

Silver Lake= Royal Valley 66, Marysville 40 Sabetha 49, Nemaha Central 46, OT

West Franklin= Osage City 75, Heritage Christian 61 Pleasant Ridge 65, KC Bishop Ward 52

Class 1A Division 1= Burrton= Little River 51, Goessel 40 Macksville 70, St. John 47

Clyde-Clifton= Clifton-Clyde 70, Lincoln 26 Solomon 58, Washington County 39

Frankfort= Cair Paravel 46, Centralia 41 Troy 34, Frankfort 32

Jetmore= Jetmore 60, Quinter 59 Ness City 72, La Crosse 48

Lucas Unified= Lakeside 48, Sylvan-Lucas 35 Osborne 53, Rawlins County 39

Olpe= Burlingame 41, Madison/Hamilton Co-op 40 Olpe 76, Crest 19

South Gray== Meade 51, Satanta 50 South Gray 68, Minneola 39

Udall= Norwich 57, Oxford 37 Wichita Classical 55, Udall 50

Class 1A Division 2= Axtell= Axtell 59, Wetmore 55 Hanover 66, Southern Cloud 35

Beloit= Logan/Palco 49, Thunder Ridge 33 Northern Valley 60, St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 57

Caldwell= Attica 72, South Barber 37 Caldwell 46, South Haven 39

Central Plains= Central Plains 68, Wilson 45 Centre 49, Otis-Bison 31

Fowler= Bucklin 85, Moscow 52 Ingalls 64, Ashland 41

Lebo= Lebo 49, Hartford 44 Waverly 49, Marais des Cygnes Valley 44

Stafford= Pawnee Heights 41, Elyria Christian 39 Stafford 58, Cunningham 40

Wallace County= Greeley County 64, Triplains-Brewster 39 Wheatland-Grinnell 44, Dighton 33

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL= Sub-State= Class 2A= Dexter= Garden Plain 53, Sedan 37 West Elk 46, Bluestem 42, OTLyndon= Mission Valley 44, Central Heights 26 Northern Heights 52, Chase County 27Plainville= Smith Center 53, Hoxie 43 Trego 44, Cheylin 41Remington= Berean Academy 37, Hillsboro 36 Remington 47, Flinthills 38Republic County= St. Mary's 48, Wabaunsee 30 Valley Heights 74, Bennington 40Sublette= Elkhart 75, Ellinwood 56 Sterling 69, Medicine Lodge 32Uniontown= Pittsburg Colgan 65, Northeast-Arma 25 Uniontown 53, Pleasanton 38 Valley Falls= Jackson Heights 47, Riverside 46 Jefferson North 43, Atchison County 37BOYS PREP BASKETBALL= Sub-State= Class 4A= West= Sub-State 3= Andale 46, Mulvane 28Class 3A= Fredonia= Columbus 71, Cherryvale 56 Galena 40, Riverton 30Goodland= Hays-TMP-Marian 65, Scott City 43 Norton 46, Phillipsburg 37Kingman= Chaparral 72, Lakin 47 Hugoton 49, Holcomb 46Minneapolis= Council Grove 40, Beloit 32 Southeast Saline 57, Smoky Valley 42Nickerson= Cheney 47, Haven 23| Hesston 57, Wichita Collegiate 27Prairie View= Burlington 61, Frontenac 58 Girard 60, Humboldt 28Silver Lake= Royal Valley 66, Marysville 40 Sabetha 49, Nemaha Central 46, OTWest Franklin= Osage City 75, Heritage Christian 61 Pleasant Ridge 65, KC Bishop Ward 52Class 1A Division 1= Burrton= Little River 51, Goessel 40 Macksville 70, St. John 47Clyde-Clifton= Clifton-Clyde 70, Lincoln 26 Solomon 58, Washington County 39Frankfort= Cair Paravel 46, Centralia 41 Troy 34, Frankfort 32Jetmore= Jetmore 60, Quinter 59 Ness City 72, La Crosse 48Lucas Unified= Lakeside 48, Sylvan-Lucas 35 Osborne 53, Rawlins County 39Olpe= Burlingame 41, Madison/Hamilton Co-op 40 Olpe 76, Crest 19South Gray== Meade 51, Satanta 50 South Gray 68, Minneola 39Udall= Norwich 57, Oxford 37 Wichita Classical 55, Udall 50Class 1A Division 2= Axtell= Axtell 59, Wetmore 55 Hanover 66, Southern Cloud 35Beloit= Logan/Palco 49, Thunder Ridge 33 Northern Valley 60, St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 57Caldwell= Attica 72, South Barber 37 Caldwell 46, South Haven 39Central Plains= Central Plains 68, Wilson 45 Centre 49, Otis-Bison 31Fowler= Bucklin 85, Moscow 52 Ingalls 64, Ashland 41Lebo= Lebo 49, Hartford 44 Waverly 49, Marais des Cygnes Valley 44Stafford= Pawnee Heights 41, Elyria Christian 39 Stafford 58, Cunningham 40Wallace County= Greeley County 64, Triplains-Brewster 39 Wheatland-Grinnell 44, Dighton 33

🏀 Thursday's prep results

GOODLAND – The TMP-Marian boys used a pair of big first half
runs on their way to a 65-43 win over Scott City Thursday and punch their
ticket to the 3A Goodland sub-state championship game.

After falling behind 3-0 the Monarchs (18-4) closed the
first quarter on a 10-3 run and never trailed again. They led 10-6 after the
first quarter.

In the second quarter Scott City (11-11) pulled back within
two points at 10-8 but TMP answered right back with a 7-0 run and extended it
to a 14-4 run thanks to a Gavin Unrein 3-pointer and a Kenton Ginther steal and
layup to go up 29-17.

TMP led by as many 12 points twice in the first half before
the Beavers closed within 11 at halftime, 29-18.

The Monarch exploded out of the halftime break on an 8-2 run
to go up 37-24.

Later in the third quarter, after Scott City had closed
within 11 again at 39-28 TMP put together a 17-6 run to end the third quarter
and start the fourth quarter. 

TMP’s Dylan Werth scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in
the second half as the Monarchs maintain their advantage and closed with a
65-43 victory.

Werth led all scorers with 24 points, his third straight 20 point
performance. Jace Wentling added 12 points for the Monarchs.

TMP will take on Norton in Saturday’s sub-state championship
game after the Bluejays knocked off Phillipsburg 46-37.

GOODLAND – The TMP-Marian boys used a pair of big first half
runs on their way to a 65-43 win over Scott City Thursday and punch their
ticket to the 3A Goodland sub-state championship game.<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/1226072596&color=%23294b71&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-814667509/03-03-22-tmp-boys-coach-int" title="03 - 03 - 22 TMP coach Bill Meagher" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 03 - 22 TMP coach Bill Meagher</a></div></div>After falling behind 3-0 the Monarchs (18-4) closed the
first quarter on a 10-3 run and never trailed again. They led 10-6 after the
first quarter.In the second quarter Scott City (11-11) pulled back within
two points at 10-8 but TMP answered right back with a 7-0 run and extended it
to a 14-4 run thanks to a Gavin Unrein 3-pointer and a Kenton Ginther steal and
layup to go up 29-17.TMP led by as many 12 points twice in the first half before
the Beavers closed within 11 at halftime, 29-18.The Monarch exploded out of the halftime break on an 8-2 run
to go up 37-24.Later in the third quarter, after Scott City had closed
within 11 again at 39-28 TMP put together a 17-6 run to end the third quarter
and start the fourth quarter. TMP’s Dylan Werth scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in
the second half as the Monarchs maintain their advantage and closed with a
65-43 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/1226072548&color=%23294b71&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-814667509/03-03-22-tmp-boys-highlights" title="03 - 03 - 22 TMP highlights vs Scott City" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 03 - 22 TMP highlights vs Scott City</a></div></div>Werth led all scorers with 24 points, his third straight 20 point
performance. Jace Wentling added 12 points for the Monarchs.TMP will take on Norton in Saturday’s sub-state championship
game after the Bluejays knocked off Phillipsburg 46-37.

🏀 TMP boys advance to sub-state championship game

The TMP boys take on the&nbsp;Scott City Beavers in the second round of 3A Goodland sub-state Thursday.

The game is set to tipoff at 7:30 p.m. from the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369101">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The TMP boys take on the&nbsp;Scott City Beavers in the second round of 3A Goodland sub-state Thursday.The game is set to tipoff at 7:30 p.m. from the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369101">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/369101?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian vs Scott City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - No. 5 Fort Hays State women's basketball scored the final eight points in Thursday's quarterfinal of the 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust, breaking a tie with Central Oklahoma before going on to win, 71-63.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;hit a driving layup with just under a minute left to give the Tigers the lead before FHSU hit 6-of-6 at the line to lock down the win. Fort Hays State, the No. 2 seed in the bracket, now advances to the semifinal round, scheduled for Saturday (March 5) at 2:15 p.m. The Tigers, now 26-3 on the year, will face off with the winner of tomorrow's quarterfinal between Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri State.

The Tigers got off to a bit of a slow start, hitting just 35.7 percent from the floor in the first quarter (5-of-14). Central Oklahoma connected on 7-of-12 shots over the first 10 minutes (58.3 percent), but the Tiger defense forced six turnovers to keep things close.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;opened the game by scoring the first five points for the Tigers, including a coast-to-coast layup after a steal.

Central Oklahoma continued to cling to a small lead for the majority of the second quarter, with FHSU tying things up on three different occasions.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;hit a jumper two minutes in to tie things up at 19, erasing a four-point deficit, before the teams traded buckets over the next five minutes. The Broncho lead oscillated between one and three points for much of the quarter before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;tied things up with a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:17 to go before halftime. UCO responded with a bucket before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6440">Emma Ruddle</a>&nbsp;turned a steal into a basket on the other end, sending the teams to the locker room knotted up at 32. Fort Hays State scored the first five points out of the locker room, including a driving layup from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;and a 3-pointer from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>. The Tigers built the lead up to 11 over the first six minutes of the third with a 16-5 run thanks in part to their defense - FHSU held the Bronchos to just 1-of-8 shooting over that stretch. West ended the run with a 3-pointer of her own, putting the Tigers up 48-37 with 4:14 to play in the quarter. Central Oklahoma turned things around over the final four minutes of the period, going on an 8-1 run to close within four, 49-45. The Bronchos then scored first in the final frame to make it a one score game. A big triple from Ruddle pushed the Tiger lead to six with 7:49 to play before UCO scored seven in a row to take their first lead since the first half, 56-55. Hollenbeck hit a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession to retake the lead. A traditional 3-point play from Randall capped off a 7-0 run for the Tigers, pushing the lead back to six with 3:41 on the clock. Central Oklahoma made one final push, ultimately tying things up with 77 seconds remaining on a layup through contact from Kelsey Johnson. The first team All-MIAA senior missed the ensuing free throw, allowing Hobbs to give the Tigers the lead with her go-ahead layup with 59 seconds to go. The Tiger defense forced three Broncho misses down the stretch while West, Hobbs and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6435">Cydney Bergmann</a>&nbsp;all hit 2-of-2 from the line to secure the victory. Randall led the Tigers with 17 points, with Hobbs adding 15 points. Eight different Tigers scored at least four points, with six totaling six or more. Johnson went out in style, totaling a 29-point, 13-rebound double-double in her final collegiate contest. The Tigers hit 40.7 percent from the floor on the day (22-of-54) while burying 23-of-26 from the free-throw line (88.5 percent). After hitting a season-high 10 3-pointers in the opening round Wednesday, the Tigers limited UCO to just three triples on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646349562886.jpeg" alt="Whitney Randall scored a team-high 17 points in FHSU's win over Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals Thursday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Whitney Randall scored a team-high 17 points in FHSU's win over Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals Thursday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx">FHSU Athletics</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - No. 5 Fort Hays State women's basketball scored the final eight points in Thursday's quarterfinal of the 2022 MIAA Basketball Championship presented by Citizen's Bank &amp; Trust, breaking a tie with Central Oklahoma before going on to win, 71-63.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;hit a driving layup with just under a minute left to give the Tigers the lead before FHSU hit 6-of-6 at the line to lock down the win. Fort Hays State, the No. 2 seed in the bracket, now advances to the semifinal round, scheduled for Saturday (March 5) at 2:15 p.m. The Tigers, now 26-3 on the year, will face off with the winner of tomorrow's quarterfinal between Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri State.<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/1225982890&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/assistant-coach-interview-fhsu-wbb-03-03-22-1" title="Asst. Coach Tahlia Kahrs Postgame Interview vs. Central Oklahoma (Mar 3, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Asst. Coach Tahlia Kahrs Postgame Interview vs. Central Oklahoma (Mar 3, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers got off to a bit of a slow start, hitting just 35.7 percent from the floor in the first quarter (5-of-14). Central Oklahoma connected on 7-of-12 shots over the first 10 minutes (58.3 percent), but the Tiger defense forced six turnovers to keep things close.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;opened the game by scoring the first five points for the Tigers, including a coast-to-coast layup after a steal.<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/1225982905&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-814667509/03-03-22-fhsu-wbb-vs-central-ok-highlights" title="#5 Fort Hays State WBB vs. Central Oklahoma Highlights (Mar 3, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#5 Fort Hays State WBB vs. Central Oklahoma Highlights (Mar 3, 2022)</a></div></div>Central Oklahoma continued to cling to a small lead for the majority of the second quarter, with FHSU tying things up on three different occasions.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;hit a jumper two minutes in to tie things up at 19, erasing a four-point deficit, before the teams traded buckets over the next five minutes. The Broncho lead oscillated between one and three points for much of the quarter before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;tied things up with a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:17 to go before halftime. UCO responded with a bucket before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6440">Emma Ruddle</a>&nbsp;turned a steal into a basket on the other end, sending the teams to the locker room knotted up at 32. Fort Hays State scored the first five points out of the locker room, including a driving layup from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;and a 3-pointer from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>. The Tigers built the lead up to 11 over the first six minutes of the third with a 16-5 run thanks in part to their defense - FHSU held the Bronchos to just 1-of-8 shooting over that stretch. West ended the run with a 3-pointer of her own, putting the Tigers up 48-37 with 4:14 to play in the quarter. Central Oklahoma turned things around over the final four minutes of the period, going on an 8-1 run to close within four, 49-45. The Bronchos then scored first in the final frame to make it a one score game. A big triple from Ruddle pushed the Tiger lead to six with 7:49 to play before UCO scored seven in a row to take their first lead since the first half, 56-55. Hollenbeck hit a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession to retake the lead. A traditional 3-point play from Randall capped off a 7-0 run for the Tigers, pushing the lead back to six with 3:41 on the clock. Central Oklahoma made one final push, ultimately tying things up with 77 seconds remaining on a layup through contact from Kelsey Johnson. The first team All-MIAA senior missed the ensuing free throw, allowing Hobbs to give the Tigers the lead with her go-ahead layup with 59 seconds to go. The Tiger defense forced three Broncho misses down the stretch while West, Hobbs and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6435">Cydney Bergmann</a>&nbsp;all hit 2-of-2 from the line to secure the victory. Randall led the Tigers with 17 points, with Hobbs adding 15 points. Eight different Tigers scored at least four points, with six totaling six or more. Johnson went out in style, totaling a 29-point, 13-rebound double-double in her final collegiate contest. The Tigers hit 40.7 percent from the floor on the day (22-of-54) while burying 23-of-26 from the free-throw line (88.5 percent). After hitting a season-high 10 3-pointers in the opening round Wednesday, the Tigers limited UCO to just three triples on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;