KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs were going nowhere on offense against Pittsburgh early Sunday night, so coach Andy Reid had wide receiver Mecole Hardman take a shotgun snap and hand off to running back Darrel Williams on a trick play.

Their exchange hit the ground, T.J. Watt picked it up and returned the fumble for a touchdown.

It was precisely the kind of play that should have energized the heavy underdogs, playing in a tough environment on the road, but it wound up doing something else entirely: It ticked off Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

He proceeded to throw for 404 yards and five scores, leading Kansas City to the end zone on six straight possessions after the turnover, and the Chiefs cruised through the second half for a 42-21 wild-card victory.

“We were all pissed at ourselves,” Mahomes said. “We weren't playing with enough energy. We weren't playing at a high enough level. We all motivated ourselves. Everyone was talking to each other, and we came out with a different urgency.”

Byron Pringle caught touchdown passes from both Mahomes and Kelce, and Jerick McKinnon and Tyreek Hill also had scoring catches, while the Chiefs (13-5) shut down the retiring Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense.

The performance not only sent Kansas City into the divisional round of the playoffs, it also turned next Sunday night's game against Buffalo — a rematch of last year's AFC title game — into appointment viewing. The Bills had a similarly easy time with their 47-17 victory over New England on Saturday.

“When you’ve been to the Super Bowl the last two years and you walk off that field with a loss last year, you want to go back and get that revenge, get that win,” Mahomes said. "We have the Bills coming here this next week and we’re going to have to play our best football.”

Roethlisberger, who acknowledged the Steelers (9-8-1) were “not a very good football team” this week, wasn't very good in his own right. The 39-year-old quarterback was 29 of 44 for 215 yards with two meaningless TD passes late in the game, providing the coda to a career that includes six Pro Bowl trips and two Super Bowl wins.

“I mean, we lost. It stinks. But when you get to the tournament, only one team is going to end the season the way you want,” Roethlisberger said. “I will say, I'm proud of the way our guys fought tonight.”

Judging by the final score, you'd never guess the first quarter was all about defense: The Steelers ran 14 plays and went 12 yards, while the Chiefs had more punt return yards (70) than they had from scrimmage (62).

Made sense that the first points would be scored on defense, too.

After the Steelers punted for a fifth straight time, the Chiefs inexplicably had Hardman take a snap rather than their four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Williams bobbled the exchange, Watt grabbed the fumble and Pittsburgh had a 7-0 lead.

Mahomes responded by completing his next six passes, capping a 76-yard drive with a nifty underhand flick to McKinnon that tied it. Then the brilliant young quarterback found Pringle in the corner of the end zone for a score, and he put an exclamation mark on the half by hitting Kelce with a 48-yard touchdown strike.

In the span of less than six minutes, Mahomes and the Chiefs had turned a seven-point deficit into a 21-7 lead.

“You know what? I didn't have to say much,” Reid said. “The players know better than anybody when there's a screwup. They beared down. Nobody was hanging their head. They said, ‘Let’s go. We need to amp it up here a little bit.'"

It wasn't quite the 23-0 halftime advantage the Chiefs had in their December blowout of the Steelers, but it sure felt that way. Roethlisberger was 5 of 14 for 24 yards in the first half and Pittsburgh had 55 yards total offense.

Not much of a retirement party if Roethlisberger indeed calls it quits.

“I don't think any of us played well,” he said. “We didn't make the plays we had to early to give ourselves a chance, and doing that, we didn't keep our defense off the field. Those are tough situations to go against such a high-powered offense.”

As for the Chiefs, their celebration started in earnest after Mahomes led them on another TD drive to start the second half. The game was such a laugher by that point that when Hill was ruled down just shy of the goal line, Mahomes simply threw his next pass on third-and-goal to offensive tackle Nick Allegretti for the score.

Hill got his TD catch eventually; it came after Steelers rookie Najee Harris lost a fumble for the first time all season.

The Chiefs kept scoring, too — Kelce's mom, who began the day watching her other son, Jason, and his Eagles lose in Tampa Bay, got to see her younger son throw a TD pass in the fourth quarter. By that point, the Chiefs had scored so often, they had to post a message on the Arrowhead Stadium video boards that they had run out of fireworks.

Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs had provided enough of their own.

“As opposed to coming in here and talking about the things we didn't do — I just expressed it to the football team — the classy thing to do is compliment the Kansas City Chiefs,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “They have a really good football team, they have an explosive team, and they did a really good job tonight.”

Steelers: Their ego was severely bruised.

Chiefs: CB Rashad Fenton hurt his shoulder before the game.

Pittsburgh heads to the offseason contemplating how they might replace their long-time starting quarterback.

The Chiefs welcome Buffalo next Sunday night for a rematch of a game the Bills won 38-20 in October. Mahomes threw three TD passes in a 38-24 victory for the AFC crown last January.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs were going nowhere on offense against Pittsburgh early Sunday night, so coach Andy Reid had wide receiver Mecole Hardman take a shotgun snap and hand off to running back Darrel Williams on a trick play.Their exchange hit the ground, T.J. Watt picked it up and returned the fumble for a touchdown.It was precisely the kind of play that should have energized the heavy underdogs, playing in a tough environment on the road, but it wound up doing something else entirely: It ticked off Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.He proceeded to throw for 404 yards and five scores, leading Kansas City to the end zone on six straight possessions after the turnover, and the Chiefs cruised through the second half for a 42-21 wild-card victory.“We were all pissed at ourselves,” Mahomes said. “We weren't playing with enough energy. We weren't playing at a high enough level. We all motivated ourselves. Everyone was talking to each other, and we came out with a different urgency.”Byron Pringle caught touchdown passes from both Mahomes and Kelce, and Jerick McKinnon and Tyreek Hill also had scoring catches, while the Chiefs (13-5) shut down the retiring Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense.The performance not only sent Kansas City into the divisional round of the playoffs, it also turned next Sunday night's game against Buffalo — a rematch of last year's AFC title game — into appointment viewing. The Bills had a similarly easy time with their 47-17 victory over New England on Saturday.“When you’ve been to the Super Bowl the last two years and you walk off that field with a loss last year, you want to go back and get that revenge, get that win,” Mahomes said. "We have the Bills coming here this next week and we’re going to have to play our best football.”Roethlisberger, who acknowledged the Steelers (9-8-1) were “not a very good football team” this week, wasn't very good in his own right. The 39-year-old quarterback was 29 of 44 for 215 yards with two meaningless TD passes late in the game, providing the coda to a career that includes six Pro Bowl trips and two Super Bowl wins.“I mean, we lost. It stinks. But when you get to the tournament, only one team is going to end the season the way you want,” Roethlisberger said. “I will say, I'm proud of the way our guys fought tonight.”Judging by the final score, you'd never guess the first quarter was all about defense: The Steelers ran 14 plays and went 12 yards, while the Chiefs had more punt return yards (70) than they had from scrimmage (62).Made sense that the first points would be scored on defense, too.After the Steelers punted for a fifth straight time, the Chiefs inexplicably had Hardman take a snap rather than their four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Williams bobbled the exchange, Watt grabbed the fumble and Pittsburgh had a 7-0 lead.It didn't last long.Mahomes responded by completing his next six passes, capping a 76-yard drive with a nifty underhand flick to McKinnon that tied it. Then the brilliant young quarterback found Pringle in the corner of the end zone for a score, and he put an exclamation mark on the half by hitting Kelce with a 48-yard touchdown strike.In the span of less than six minutes, Mahomes and the Chiefs had turned a seven-point deficit into a 21-7 lead.“You know what? I didn't have to say much,” Reid said. “The players know better than anybody when there's a screwup. They beared down. Nobody was hanging their head. They said, ‘Let’s go. We need to amp it up here a little bit.'"It wasn't quite the 23-0 halftime advantage the Chiefs had in their December blowout of the Steelers, but it sure felt that way. Roethlisberger was 5 of 14 for 24 yards in the first half and Pittsburgh had 55 yards total offense.Not much of a retirement party if Roethlisberger indeed calls it quits.“I don't think any of us played well,” he said. “We didn't make the plays we had to early to give ourselves a chance, and doing that, we didn't keep our defense off the field. Those are tough situations to go against such a high-powered offense.”As for the Chiefs, their celebration started in earnest after Mahomes led them on another TD drive to start the second half. The game was such a laugher by that point that when Hill was ruled down just shy of the goal line, Mahomes simply threw his next pass on third-and-goal to offensive tackle Nick Allegretti for the score.Hill got his TD catch eventually; it came after Steelers rookie Najee Harris lost a fumble for the first time all season.The Chiefs kept scoring, too — Kelce's mom, who began the day watching her other son, Jason, and his Eagles lose in Tampa Bay, got to see her younger son throw a TD pass in the fourth quarter. By that point, the Chiefs had scored so often, they had to post a message on the Arrowhead Stadium video boards that they had run out of fireworks.Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs had provided enough of their own.“As opposed to coming in here and talking about the things we didn't do — I just expressed it to the football team — the classy thing to do is compliment the Kansas City Chiefs,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “They have a really good football team, they have an explosive team, and they did a really good job tonight.”INJURIESSteelers: Their ego was severely bruised.Chiefs: CB Rashad Fenton hurt his shoulder before the game.UP NEXTPittsburgh heads to the offseason contemplating how they might replace their long-time starting quarterback.The Chiefs welcome Buffalo next Sunday night for a rematch of a game the Bills won 38-20 in October. Mahomes threw three TD passes in a 38-24 victory for the AFC crown last January.

🏈 Mahomes leads Chiefs to wild-card romp over Steelers

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - David DeJulius scored 18 points and made a go-ahead layup with 2:20 remaining in the game as Cincinnati&nbsp;rallied past Wichita State&nbsp;61-57 in American Athletic Conference play on Sunday.

Hayden Koval had 13 points for the Bearcats (13-5, 3-2). John Newman III added 10 points.

Tyson Etienne had 14 points and six assists for the Shockers (9-7, 0-4), who have now lost four games in a row. Etienne's layup with 2:36 left to play gave Wichita State a 57-56 lead, but the Shockers went scoreless from there. Morris Udeze added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Council IV scored 11.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - David DeJulius scored 18 points and made a go-ahead layup with 2:20 remaining in the game as Cincinnati&nbsp;rallied past Wichita State&nbsp;61-57 in American Athletic Conference play on Sunday.Hayden Koval had 13 points for the Bearcats (13-5, 3-2). John Newman III added 10 points.Tyson Etienne had 14 points and six assists for the Shockers (9-7, 0-4), who have now lost four games in a row. Etienne's layup with 2:36 left to play gave Wichita State a 57-56 lead, but the Shockers went scoreless from there. Morris Udeze added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Council IV scored 11.

🏀 DeJulius lifts Cincinnati past Wichita State

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The No. 2 Fort Hays State women's basketball team used a big third quarter to grab a road win over No. 22 Missouri Western on Saturday (Jan. 15), 74-61. The Tigers (15-1, 9-1 MIAA) hit 10-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-6 from behind the arc in the third quarter after hitting just one 3-pointer in the first half.

The Griffons (12-3, 6-3 MIAA) led for more than 12 minutes in the first half after forcing 10 Tiger turnovers before intermission. FHSU hit just 38.7 percent from the floor (12-of-31) and 50 percent from the free-throw line (4-of-8) before halftime, but the Tigers managed to take a 29-28 lead into the locker room after limiting the Griffons to 33.3 percent shooting (11-of-33). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6441">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;scored six-straight points in the heart of the second quarter to help the Tigers tie things up before a free throw from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers a one-point lead at the break.

After scoring the final three points of the first half, Fort Hays State took the lead for good after scoring eight in a row at the start of the third quarter. Six of those points came from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;also adding a jumper from the free-throw line. Back-to-back 3-pointers from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6436">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;helped the Tigers stretch the run to 19-2, giving FHSU a 45-30 lead midway through the third quarter. Missouri Western called a timeout and proceeded to score the next six points before Randall scored five-straight points to push the lead back to double figures.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;drilled her second 3-pointer of the game late in the frame before the Griffons hit a shot at the buzzer, closing within 65-43 with 10 minutes remaining. Sallach got the Tigers rolling in the fourth quarter with two baskets in 14 seconds that was aided by a Randall steal. Randall added two more buckets in the frame before a layup from Hollenbeck put the Tigers in front by 20, 67-47, with 5:19 to play. Missouri Western made one final push, going on a 14-3 run to close with nine with less than one minute to play, but the Tigers hit 4-of-4 from the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win. Wagner led all players with 19 points and 11 rebounds, tallying her sixth double-double of the season. Randall added 15 points and four steals, with Hollenbeck totaling 14 points and Sallach contributing 10 points and five rebounds. The Tigers finished the game shooting 48.3 percent from the floor (29-of-60) while limiting the Griffons to a 33.8 percent shooting effort (22-of-65). Josie Weishaar was the lone Griffon in double figures, leading the team with 16 points. The win helps Fort Hays State remain in a tie for first place in the MIAA standing with No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers are now 1-1 against ranked opponents this season. It is just the third time the Tigers have won consecutive road games against MWSU. Fort Hays State will return home to host Missouri Southern on Thursday (Jan. 20) beginning at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642304505522.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Olivia Hollenbeck (Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Olivia Hollenbeck (Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The No. 2 Fort Hays State women's basketball team used a big third quarter to grab a road win over No. 22 Missouri Western on Saturday (Jan. 15), 74-61. The Tigers (15-1, 9-1 MIAA) hit 10-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-6 from behind the arc in the third quarter after hitting just one 3-pointer in the first 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/1197230314&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-814667509/01-15-22-coach-tony-hobson-interview" title="Tony Hobson Postgame at #22 Missouri Western (Jan 22, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Postgame at #22 Missouri Western (Jan 22, 2022)</a></div></div>The Griffons (12-3, 6-3 MIAA) led for more than 12 minutes in the first half after forcing 10 Tiger turnovers before intermission. FHSU hit just 38.7 percent from the floor (12-of-31) and 50 percent from the free-throw line (4-of-8) before halftime, but the Tigers managed to take a 29-28 lead into the locker room after limiting the Griffons to 33.3 percent shooting (11-of-33). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6441">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;scored six-straight points in the heart of the second quarter to help the Tigers tie things up before a free throw from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers a one-point lead 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/1197230332&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-814667509/01-15-22-fhsu-wbb-vs-mo-western-state-highlights" title="#2 Fort Hays State WBB at #22 Missouri Western State Highlights (Jan 15, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#2 Fort Hays State WBB at #22 Missouri Western State Highlights (Jan 15, 2022)</a></div></div>After scoring the final three points of the first half, Fort Hays State took the lead for good after scoring eight in a row at the start of the third quarter. Six of those points came from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;also adding a jumper from the free-throw line. Back-to-back 3-pointers from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6436">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;helped the Tigers stretch the run to 19-2, giving FHSU a 45-30 lead midway through the third quarter. Missouri Western called a timeout and proceeded to score the next six points before Randall scored five-straight points to push the lead back to double figures.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6447">Lauren West</a>&nbsp;drilled her second 3-pointer of the game late in the frame before the Griffons hit a shot at the buzzer, closing within 65-43 with 10 minutes remaining. Sallach got the Tigers rolling in the fourth quarter with two baskets in 14 seconds that was aided by a Randall steal. Randall added two more buckets in the frame before a layup from Hollenbeck put the Tigers in front by 20, 67-47, with 5:19 to play. Missouri Western made one final push, going on a 14-3 run to close with nine with less than one minute to play, but the Tigers hit 4-of-4 from the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win. Wagner led all players with 19 points and 11 rebounds, tallying her sixth double-double of the season. Randall added 15 points and four steals, with Hollenbeck totaling 14 points and Sallach contributing 10 points and five rebounds. The Tigers finished the game shooting 48.3 percent from the floor (29-of-60) while limiting the Griffons to a 33.8 percent shooting effort (22-of-65). Josie Weishaar was the lone Griffon in double figures, leading the team with 16 points. The win helps Fort Hays State remain in a tie for first place in the MIAA standing with No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers are now 1-1 against ranked opponents this season. It is just the third time the Tigers have won consecutive road games against MWSU. Fort Hays State will return home to host Missouri Southern on Thursday (Jan. 20) beginning at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Big third quarter propels No. 2 FHSU women past No. 22 Missouri Western

HAYS – The Dodge City girls won the 2022 Hays Girls Prairie Classic
Saturday at Hays High School. The Red Demons had three first place finishes and
four second place finishes and scored 165 points. Great Bend finished second
with 80 points and host Hays High third with 59.

Hays High’s Sarah Zimmerman won the 109 pound weight class, defeating
Citori Bosserman of Oakley by fall in the title match. Zimmerman opened the tournament
with a fall over Mayra Gonzalez by fall then defeated Dodge City’s Ashely
Alonso by fall in the second round.

Stockton’s Ashlyn Hahn finished second at 115. 

Tionna Napue of Russell defeated Caxton Smyth of Plainville
at 120 pounds.

Russell’s Jaden Ney was the winner at 132 pounds. Hays High’s
Katie Gutierrez finished third.

The Indians Ava Ruiz placed third at 138 and Plainville’s Zoe
Brown fourth.

Lexi Burton of Hays High placed third at 143.

Stockton’s Rivver Long finished third and Raven Long fourth
at 191.

HAYS – The Dodge City girls won the 2022 Hays Girls Prairie Classic
Saturday at Hays High School. The Red Demons had three first place finishes and
four second place finishes and scored 165 points. Great Bend finished second
with 80 points and host Hays High third with 59.Hays High’s Sarah Zimmerman won the 109 pound weight class, defeating
Citori Bosserman of Oakley by fall in the title match. Zimmerman opened the tournament
with a fall over Mayra Gonzalez by fall then defeated Dodge City’s Ashely
Alonso by fall in the second round.Stockton’s Ashlyn Hahn finished second at 115. Tionna Napue of Russell defeated Caxton Smyth of Plainville
at 120 pounds.Russell’s Jaden Ney was the winner at 132 pounds. Hays High’s
Katie Gutierrez finished third.The Indians Ava Ruiz placed third at 138 and Plainville’s Zoe
Brown fourth.Lexi Burton of Hays High placed third at 143.Stockton’s Rivver Long finished third and Raven Long fourth
at 191.

🤼‍♀️ Hays High's Zimmerman wins at Prairie Classic

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has been waiting all season for David McCormack to give the No. 9 Jayhawks a consistent force inside.

It's been waiting for Jalen Wilson to finally shake off a season-long slump, too.

McCormack had 19 points and 15 rebounds in a virtuoso outing against West Virginia. Wilson added 23 points and eight boards of his own. And Agbaji, the Big 12's leading scorer, merely had 20 points and seven rebounds as the Jayhawks shook off a sluggish first half to rout the Mountaineers 85-59 on Saturday.

“I thought everyone played well. David and J-Will, they played their best games of the season,” Agbaji said. “We were just aggressive in the second half. We were aggressive defensively, offensively, trying to find our places, and when we were able to make a jump and make a run, that's when we took it.”

The Jayhawks (14-2, 3-1) led just 33-31 at halftime but blitzed through the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Mountaineers 52-28 to remain perfect against them in 10 matchups at Allen Fieldhouse.

They did it by piling up 23 assists, including a bunch on alley-oop dunks, and by building a 54-20 advantage in the paint.

“I think it was just moving the ball,” McCormack said. “Coach made an emphasis if we moved the ball and went side to side, we were able to get whatever we want. Once we bought in to that style of offense, it just made everything fun.”

Having no fun at all was Taz Sherman, the Big 12's second-leading scorer at nearly 20 points a game. The West Virginia guard was 1 of 9 from the field, 0 for 5 from beyond the arc and finished with five points and two rebounds.

Malik Curry led West Virginia (13-3, 2-2) with 23 points, going 11 of 11 from the foul line. Jalen Bridges finished with 12.

“We were making shots and getting stops, and it's easy to play with energy when that's happening,” Bridges said. “In the second half, we came out flat. They went on a big run, and y'all know what happened next.”

You could have never guessed it by watching the first half, though.

The Mountaineers got off to a slow start before unspooling a 14-0 run through the middle of the first half, building a 25-19 lead with about 6 1/2 minutes to go. But the Jayhawks answered a few minutes later, when Agbaji bookended his 3-pointer with a couple more buckets, and Kansas scored nine straight to take a two-point lead to the locker room.

More important than the score, though, was the flow of the game.

The Jayhawks are among the nation's highest-scoring offenses, leading the Big 12 at nearly 82 points per game, while West Virginia's physical, in-your-shorts defense had held 10 of its first 15 opponents to 60 points or fewer.

In other words, the Mountaineers had the plodding pace they wanted.

The Jayhawks picked up speed at both ends of the floor, turning their own lockdown defense into some fast-break offense. They scored the first nine points to push the lead to 42-31 at the first media timeout, then kept building on the advantage, and it eventually swelled to 57-40 on Wilson's transition layup with 10 minutes to go.

“The dam kind of burst in the second half. That’s not real,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “The same thing can happen to us. It can happen to anybody. But the way we started in the second half was indicative of the way we hope to play.”

Indeed, the party was on by the final few minutes: McCormack flexing after a put-back dunk, Wilson strutting back up court after an alley-oop jam of his own, and Agbaji taking a nifty back-door pass for yet another easy dunk.

The Jayhawks cruised to their fifth win in their last six games against West Virginia.

“I guess the easiest thing to say is we came out at halftime flat,” Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins said. “We didn't make shots, we turned the ball over entirely too much in the second half. They played better. They played way better.”

Kansas guard Remy Martin missed his second straight game after aggravating a right knee injury in a loss at Texas Tech. Freshman forward Zach Clemence also sat out his second game with a right toe injury.

West Virginia was simply two different teams from the first half to the second. The Mountaineers controlled the tempo and prevented Kansas from getting into transition the first 20 minutes, then unraveled after the break. Poor 3-point shooting didn't help — they were 4 of 18 from beyond the arc.

Kansas shot 61.1% in the second half, and Wilson was a big part of it. He was 10 of 13 from the floor and his 23 points matched a career high in scoring, while five assists and just one turnover allowed everyone else to stay involved. That's the kind of stat line that makes the Jayhawks nearly unstoppable on offense.

The Mountaineers welcome top-ranked Baylor on Tuesday night. The Jayhawks visit Oklahoma the same night.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has been waiting all season for David McCormack to give the No. 9 Jayhawks a consistent force inside.It's been waiting for Jalen Wilson to finally shake off a season-long slump, too.Ochai Agbaji? Well, he's been just fine.McCormack had 19 points and 15 rebounds in a virtuoso outing against West Virginia. Wilson added 23 points and eight boards of his own. And Agbaji, the Big 12's leading scorer, merely had 20 points and seven rebounds as the Jayhawks shook off a sluggish first half to rout the Mountaineers 85-59 on Saturday.“I thought everyone played well. David and J-Will, they played their best games of the season,” Agbaji said. “We were just aggressive in the second half. We were aggressive defensively, offensively, trying to find our places, and when we were able to make a jump and make a run, that's when we took it.”The Jayhawks (14-2, 3-1) led just 33-31 at halftime but blitzed through the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Mountaineers 52-28 to remain perfect against them in 10 matchups at Allen Fieldhouse.They did it by piling up 23 assists, including a bunch on alley-oop dunks, and by building a 54-20 advantage in the paint.“I think it was just moving the ball,” McCormack said. “Coach made an emphasis if we moved the ball and went side to side, we were able to get whatever we want. Once we bought in to that style of offense, it just made everything fun.”Having no fun at all was Taz Sherman, the Big 12's second-leading scorer at nearly 20 points a game. The West Virginia guard was 1 of 9 from the field, 0 for 5 from beyond the arc and finished with five points and two rebounds.Malik Curry led West Virginia (13-3, 2-2) with 23 points, going 11 of 11 from the foul line. Jalen Bridges finished with 12.“We were making shots and getting stops, and it's easy to play with energy when that's happening,” Bridges said. “In the second half, we came out flat. They went on a big run, and y'all know what happened next.”You could have never guessed it by watching the first half, though.The Mountaineers got off to a slow start before unspooling a 14-0 run through the middle of the first half, building a 25-19 lead with about 6 1/2 minutes to go. But the Jayhawks answered a few minutes later, when Agbaji bookended his 3-pointer with a couple more buckets, and Kansas scored nine straight to take a two-point lead to the locker room.More important than the score, though, was the flow of the game.The Jayhawks are among the nation's highest-scoring offenses, leading the Big 12 at nearly 82 points per game, while West Virginia's physical, in-your-shorts defense had held 10 of its first 15 opponents to 60 points or fewer.In other words, the Mountaineers had the plodding pace they wanted.Until the second half began.The Jayhawks picked up speed at both ends of the floor, turning their own lockdown defense into some fast-break offense. They scored the first nine points to push the lead to 42-31 at the first media timeout, then kept building on the advantage, and it eventually swelled to 57-40 on Wilson's transition layup with 10 minutes to go.“The dam kind of burst in the second half. That’s not real,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “The same thing can happen to us. It can happen to anybody. But the way we started in the second half was indicative of the way we hope to play.”Indeed, the party was on by the final few minutes: McCormack flexing after a put-back dunk, Wilson strutting back up court after an alley-oop jam of his own, and Agbaji taking a nifty back-door pass for yet another easy dunk.The Jayhawks cruised to their fifth win in their last six games against West Virginia.“I guess the easiest thing to say is we came out at halftime flat,” Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins said. “We didn't make shots, we turned the ball over entirely too much in the second half. They played better. They played way better.”INJURY REPORTKansas guard Remy Martin missed his second straight game after aggravating a right knee injury in a loss at Texas Tech. Freshman forward Zach Clemence also sat out his second game with a right toe injury.THE TAKEAWAYWest Virginia was simply two different teams from the first half to the second. The Mountaineers controlled the tempo and prevented Kansas from getting into transition the first 20 minutes, then unraveled after the break. Poor 3-point shooting didn't help — they were 4 of 18 from beyond the arc.Kansas shot 61.1% in the second half, and Wilson was a big part of it. He was 10 of 13 from the floor and his 23 points matched a career high in scoring, while five assists and just one turnover allowed everyone else to stay involved. That's the kind of stat line that makes the Jayhawks nearly unstoppable on offense.UP NEXTThe Mountaineers welcome top-ranked Baylor on Tuesday night. The Jayhawks visit Oklahoma the same night.

🏀 No. 9 Kansas uses big 2nd half to stuff West Virginia

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nijel Pack scored 14 points, Mark Smith made a key 3-pointer with just over a minute left, and Kansas State ended a four-game losing streak, beating No. 19 Texas Tech 62-51 on Saturday.

Smith finished with 12 points and Mike McGuirl had 10 for the Wildcats (9-7, 1-4 Big 12), who failed to hold second-half leads in each of their four previous games. They got it done against a Texas Tech team that handed No. 1 Baylor its first loss of the season earlier this week.

“The guys had a ‘not today’ approach,” said Kansas State assistant coach Chris Lowry, who spoke after the game because coach Bruce Weber had lost his voice. “We consistently talk with them about why the good practices haven’t translated to wins. Today, we challenged them to finish.

“We’ve been ready to play, just not ready to finish. Today, that was different.”

Bryson Williams scored 20 points to lead the Red Raiders (13-4, 3-2), who were playing their fourth game in eight days. The Red Raiders beat No. 9 Kansas last Saturday, knocked off Baylor on Tuesday and dismantled Oklahoma State on Thursday.

But Texas Tech appeared to run out of steam against K-State, shooting 39.6% from the field. Terrence Shannon Jr.’s jumper with 4:54 remaining got the Red Raiders within 50-49, but they didn’t make another shot from the field.

“I mean, guys were definitely fatigued,” Williams said. “We played a lot of games in a short stretch.

“But this is a team that doesn’t look for excuses. We just come out and know that every time we step out on the floor it’s going to be a dogfight. This is the Big 12, the best conference in America. So we know that anybody we step on the floor with, we’re gonna have to come and bring it.”

Smith’s 3-pointer with 1:06 left made it 58-51 and essentially put the game away.

“We were good enough to get wins, but we let some slip away,” Smith said. “This was a really good one to get, because they’re a Top-25 team. Hopefully this will help build momentum.”

McGuirl added, “Tonight was a step in the right direction.”

Texas Tech led by two points at halftime and extended the lead to 31-26 early in the second half, but K-State quickly rallied to go back in front. Neither team led by more than five points until Selton Miguel’s layup put the Wildcats ahead 55-49 with 2:32 left.

Shannon came in leading the Red Raiders in scoring at 14.3 points per game but hadn’t played since Dec. 14 because of a back injury. His late jumper was his only basket on Saturday.

There weren’t a lot of people witnessing the game. With temperatures in the 20s and an overnight snowfall, the arena appeared about one-third full.

Texas Tech: It’s hard playing four games in eight days in the Big 12. The Red Raiders struggled with their energy, especially late in the second half.

Kansas State: Not only did the Wildcats finally hold onto a late lead, they finished the game with a 7-0 run.

Texas Tech: Hosts No. 15 Iowa State on Tuesday.

Kansas State: At No. 21 Texas on Tuesday.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nijel Pack scored 14 points, Mark Smith made a key 3-pointer with just over a minute left, and Kansas State ended a four-game losing streak, beating No. 19 Texas Tech 62-51 on Saturday.Smith finished with 12 points and Mike McGuirl had 10 for the Wildcats (9-7, 1-4 Big 12), who failed to hold second-half leads in each of their four previous games. They got it done against a Texas Tech team that handed No. 1 Baylor its first loss of the season earlier this week.“The guys had a ‘not today’ approach,” said Kansas State assistant coach Chris Lowry, who spoke after the game because coach Bruce Weber had lost his voice. “We consistently talk with them about why the good practices haven’t translated to wins. Today, we challenged them to finish.“We’ve been ready to play, just not ready to finish. Today, that was different.”Bryson Williams scored 20 points to lead the Red Raiders (13-4, 3-2), who were playing their fourth game in eight days. The Red Raiders beat No. 9 Kansas last Saturday, knocked off Baylor on Tuesday and dismantled Oklahoma State on Thursday.But Texas Tech appeared to run out of steam against K-State, shooting 39.6% from the field. Terrence Shannon Jr.’s jumper with 4:54 remaining got the Red Raiders within 50-49, but they didn’t make another shot from the field.“I mean, guys were definitely fatigued,” Williams said. “We played a lot of games in a short stretch.“But this is a team that doesn’t look for excuses. We just come out and know that every time we step out on the floor it’s going to be a dogfight. This is the Big 12, the best conference in America. So we know that anybody we step on the floor with, we’re gonna have to come and bring it.”Smith’s 3-pointer with 1:06 left made it 58-51 and essentially put the game away.“We were good enough to get wins, but we let some slip away,” Smith said. “This was a really good one to get, because they’re a Top-25 team. Hopefully this will help build momentum.”McGuirl added, “Tonight was a step in the right direction.”Texas Tech led by two points at halftime and extended the lead to 31-26 early in the second half, but K-State quickly rallied to go back in front. Neither team led by more than five points until Selton Miguel’s layup put the Wildcats ahead 55-49 with 2:32 left.Shannon came in leading the Red Raiders in scoring at 14.3 points per game but hadn’t played since Dec. 14 because of a back injury. His late jumper was his only basket on Saturday.There weren’t a lot of people witnessing the game. With temperatures in the 20s and an overnight snowfall, the arena appeared about one-third full.THE TAKEAWAYTexas Tech: It’s hard playing four games in eight days in the Big 12. The Red Raiders struggled with their energy, especially late in the second half.Kansas State: Not only did the Wildcats finally hold onto a late lead, they finished the game with a 7-0 run.UP NEXTTexas Tech: Hosts No. 15 Iowa State on Tuesday.Kansas State: At No. 21 Texas on Tuesday.

🏀 Kansas State closes out No. 19 Texas Tech late for win

By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — When Barton Community College started athletics in 1969, there were six
programs offered. An addition to the main athletic complex on campus, the Kirkman
Center, was made in 1995 and there were 13 sports. Currently, the junior
college offers 22 sports and houses over 370 student athletes. 

Barton Athletic
Director Trevor Rolfs said watching the growth of the department has been
great, but not much new construction has taken place since 1995 despite the
growth. 
"This place is really busy," said Rolfs. "Not only have we outgrown 
these facilities, the facilities are aging in certain areas. It's a good
 thing that we're growing, but the facility cramping is starting to rear
 its ugly head."

Rolfs gave an example of all officials dressing 
in one room. There are more and more women officials, creating a need 
for a separate space. 
Rolfs, with support from Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman, presented his first
sales pitch to the Barton Community College Board of Trustees Tuesday on future
plans he would like accomplished on campus.

Centering on the Kirkman Center, the
renovations and construction would come in phases, with the first phase costing
$14.2 million. Rolfs highlighted relocating the training room to a bigger space,
constructing a new weight room, more locker rooms, coach’s offices, new
bleachers and a better display of the college’s hall of fame members.

"Barton athletics is in a good place," said Rolfs. "We've managed 
with the facilities we have and continued to be successful. I don't 
think we get hurt on recruiting because of our name and history, but 
more people are committing dollars to facilities and I don't want to see
 Barton fall behind." 
Rolfs also told trustees during the tour there is a need for improvement to the
track facility and a press box at the softball complex. In another phase, there
are ideas for a new $11 million gym.

Barton also hosted the Kansas
 State High School Activities Association Class 1A-DII girls and boys 
state basketball tournaments this past spring. To properly showcase the 
facility to fans from around the state and provide adequate room for the
 teams, more locker rooms are needed.

The way the Kirkman Center was constructed in 1969, there is no air conditioning to the lower level. There is heat only. 
While the athletic department has done work to gather potential donors, the
trustees were told to expect a formal pitch requesting funding in the future.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642269769911.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College Board of Trustees received a tour of some of the sports facilities on campus Jan. 11." />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College Board of Trustees received a tour of some of the sports facilities on campus Jan. 11.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — When Barton Community College started athletics in 1969, there were six
programs offered. An addition to the main athletic complex on campus, the Kirkman
Center, was made in 1995 and there were 13 sports. Currently, the junior
college offers 22 sports and houses over 370 student athletes. Barton Athletic
Director Trevor Rolfs said watching the growth of the department has been
great, but not much new construction has taken place since 1995 despite the
growth. 
"This place is really busy," said Rolfs. "Not only have we outgrown 
these facilities, the facilities are aging in certain areas. It's a good
 thing that we're growing, but the facility cramping is starting to rear
 its ugly head."Rolfs gave an example of all officials dressing 
in one room. There are more and more women officials, creating a need 
for a separate space. 
Rolfs, with support from Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman, presented his first
sales pitch to the Barton Community College Board of Trustees Tuesday on future
plans he would like accomplished on campus. Centering on the Kirkman Center, the
renovations and construction would come in phases, with the first phase costing
$14.2 million. Rolfs highlighted relocating the training room to a bigger space,
constructing a new weight room, more locker rooms, coach’s offices, new
bleachers and a better display of the college’s hall of fame members.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642269818558.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Barton athletics is in a good place," said Rolfs. "We've managed 
with the facilities we have and continued to be successful. I don't 
think we get hurt on recruiting because of our name and history, but 
more people are committing dollars to facilities and I don't want to see
 Barton fall behind." 
Rolfs also told trustees during the tour there is a need for improvement to the
track facility and a press box at the softball complex. In another phase, there
are ideas for a new $11 million gym.Barton also hosted the Kansas
 State High School Activities Association Class 1A-DII girls and boys 
state basketball tournaments this past spring. To properly showcase the 
facility to fans from around the state and provide adequate room for the
 teams, more locker rooms are needed.The way the Kirkman Center was constructed in 1969, there is no air conditioning to the lower level. There is heat only. 
While the athletic department has done work to gather potential donors, the
trustees were told to expect a formal pitch requesting funding in the future.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Barton athletic facilities ‘bulging at the seams’

University of South Dakota Sports Information

VERMILLION, S.D. — University of South Dakota assistant athletic director <a href="https://goyotes.com/staff.aspx?staff=12">Bryan Boettcher</a> has announced the addition of <a href="https://goyotes.com/staff.aspx?staff=410">Evan Maldonado</a>
 to the sports information staff. Maldonado will be the primary media 
contact for men's basketball, soccer and men's and women's golf. 
Maldonado hails from Hutchinson and played collegiate 
basketball and golf at Central Christian College of Kansas where he 
graduated with a degree in sport management and a minor in music. He 
served as a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State University and earned 
his master's degree in science, health and human performance. 
"Evan's experiences make him the perfect fit for this position, and he 
comes highly recommended from our friends at Fort Hays State," said 
Boettcher. "I'm excited he and his wife chose USD and Vermillion for 
their next adventure." 
Maldonado ran social media accounts while serving as an assistant to the
 athletic director as an undergrad at Central Christian. At Fort Hays 
State, he served as the main contact for women's soccer and men's cross 
country, wrote feature stories and designed media guides among other 
assignments. 
Maldonado spent this past summer as the communications assistant for the
 Wichita Wind Surge, the double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. In 
addition to running its social media account, he clipped highlights, 
designed graphics and wrote features and post-game recaps. 
"I am excited for this opportunity to work and learn in a great 
environment here at South Dakota," said Maldonado. "The staff has made 
my wife and I feel very welcome in the short time we have been here 
already. I am thankful Bryan selected me for this position, and I am 
happy to be here in Vermillion."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642269348355.png" alt="Maldonado" />
 <figcaption>Maldonado</figcaption>
 </figure>University of South Dakota Sports InformationVERMILLION, S.D. — University of South Dakota assistant athletic director <a href="https://goyotes.com/staff.aspx?staff=12">Bryan Boettcher</a> has announced the addition of <a href="https://goyotes.com/staff.aspx?staff=410">Evan Maldonado</a>
 to the sports information staff. Maldonado will be the primary media 
contact for men's basketball, soccer and men's and women's golf. 
Maldonado hails from Hutchinson and played collegiate 
basketball and golf at Central Christian College of Kansas where he 
graduated with a degree in sport management and a minor in music. He 
served as a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State University and earned 
his master's degree in science, health and human performance. 
"Evan's experiences make him the perfect fit for this position, and he 
comes highly recommended from our friends at Fort Hays State," said 
Boettcher. "I'm excited he and his wife chose USD and Vermillion for 
their next adventure." 
Maldonado ran social media accounts while serving as an assistant to the
 athletic director as an undergrad at Central Christian. At Fort Hays 
State, he served as the main contact for women's soccer and men's cross 
country, wrote feature stories and designed media guides among other 
assignments. 
Maldonado spent this past summer as the communications assistant for the
 Wichita Wind Surge, the double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. In 
addition to running its social media account, he clipped highlights, 
designed graphics and wrote features and post-game recaps. 
"I am excited for this opportunity to work and learn in a great 
environment here at South Dakota," said Maldonado. "The staff has made 
my wife and I feel very welcome in the short time we have been here 
already. I am thankful Bryan selected me for this position, and I am 
happy to be here in Vermillion."

Former FHSU grad assistant joins staff at University of South Dakota

No. 2/5 Fort Hays State (14-1, 8-1&nbsp;MIAA) at No. 22/RV Missouri Western (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) Saturday, January 15, 2022 • 1:30 p.m. St. Joseph, Mo. • MWSU Fieldhouse&nbsp;at Looney Complex Women's game only -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2022/1/14/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-game-at-missouri-western-postponed.aspx">men's game postponed</a> Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The second-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team faces off with a ranked opponent for a second time this season Saturday (Jan. 15) when the Tigers battle No. 22 Missouri Western. First tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo. There will only be a women's game on Saturday - the men's contest was&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2022/1/14/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-game-at-missouri-western-postponed.aspx">postponed</a>&nbsp;due to COVID-19 issues within the MWSU program. A make-up date for that contest is to be determined. After opening the season with seven-straight wins, the Tigers (14-1, 8-1 MIAA) enter Saturday on another seven-game winning streak. Missouri Western (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) had won three games in a row before falling on Thursday to No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney. This is Fort Hays State's second trip to St. Joseph this season. The Tigers opened the year inside the MWSU Fieldhouse with wins over Southeastern Oklahoma State and Sioux Falls. The Tigers are 10-6 when playing in St. Joseph under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1043">Tony Hobson</a>, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;is averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in three career games in St. Joe. The Tigers clinched the 2021 MIAA regular season title with a win in their last road game against the Griffons (77-69, 2/25/21). Fort Hays State raised its assist/turnover ratio to 1.52 after another win over Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday. The Tigers lead Division II and rank second out of 1,080 teams listed in the NCAA statistical rankings across all three divisions. FHSU is third in DII in assists per game (18.1) and sixth in turnovers per game (11.9). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;performed well against the Griffons last season, scoring 52 points in two meetings. The senior tallied 23 points in the game in Hays before erupting for a career-high 29 points in St. Joseph. The Tigers are 0-1 against ranked teams so far this season. FHSU is 24-44 against ranked teams under Hobson and 13-15 against ranked opponents while FHSU is also ranked. The Tigers are 30-23 all-time against the Griffons, including wins in each of the last two meetings and in five of the last six contests. FHSU has won nine of the last 12 meetings, with all three losses during that span coming in St. Joseph. The home team has dominated the series, with the Tigers leading 20-5 in Hays and the Griffons leading 16-9 in St. Joseph. The Tigers are 14-6 against the Griffons under Hobson, including a 4-6 mark on the road. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;now has 355 assists in her career at Fort Hays State, two shy of tying Roberta Augustine (1979-83) for fifth-most at FHSU. The No. 22 Griffons are 10-1 at home this season after suffering their first home loss on Thursday against UNK. The Griffons are seventh nationally while leading the conference with a scoring margin of +20.6. MWSU has the 19th-highest scoring offense in Division II, averaging 77.9 points per night to lead the MIAA. The Griffons rank 21st in DII with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.14. Connie Clarke nearly averages a double-double while leading the team with 13.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642225747910.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Jessie Sallach (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Seth Kincaid)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Jessie Sallach (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Seth Kincaid)</figcaption>
 </figure>No. 2/5 Fort Hays State (14-1, 8-1&nbsp;MIAA) at No. 22/RV Missouri Western (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) Saturday, January 15, 2022 • 1:30 p.m. St. Joseph, Mo. • MWSU Fieldhouse&nbsp;at Looney Complex Women's game only -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2022/1/14/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-game-at-missouri-western-postponed.aspx">men's game postponed</a> Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The second-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team faces off with a ranked opponent for a second time this season Saturday (Jan. 15) when the Tigers battle No. 22 Missouri Western. First tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo. There will only be a women's game on Saturday - the men's contest was&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2022/1/14/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-game-at-missouri-western-postponed.aspx">postponed</a>&nbsp;due to COVID-19 issues within the MWSU program. A make-up date for that contest is to be determined. After opening the season with seven-straight wins, the Tigers (14-1, 8-1 MIAA) enter Saturday on another seven-game winning streak. Missouri Western (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) had won three games in a row before falling on Thursday to No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney. This is Fort Hays State's second trip to St. Joseph this season. The Tigers opened the year inside the MWSU Fieldhouse with wins over Southeastern Oklahoma State and Sioux Falls. The Tigers are 10-6 when playing in St. Joseph under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1043">Tony Hobson</a>, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;is averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in three career games in St. Joe. The Tigers clinched the 2021 MIAA regular season title with a win in their last road game against the Griffons (77-69, 2/25/21). Fort Hays State raised its assist/turnover ratio to 1.52 after another win over Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday. The Tigers lead Division II and rank second out of 1,080 teams listed in the NCAA statistical rankings across all three divisions. FHSU is third in DII in assists per game (18.1) and sixth in turnovers per game (11.9). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;performed well against the Griffons last season, scoring 52 points in two meetings. The senior tallied 23 points in the game in Hays before erupting for a career-high 29 points in St. Joseph. The Tigers are 0-1 against ranked teams so far this season. FHSU is 24-44 against ranked teams under Hobson and 13-15 against ranked opponents while FHSU is also ranked. The Tigers are 30-23 all-time against the Griffons, including wins in each of the last two meetings and in five of the last six contests. FHSU has won nine of the last 12 meetings, with all three losses during that span coming in St. Joseph. The home team has dominated the series, with the Tigers leading 20-5 in Hays and the Griffons leading 16-9 in St. Joseph. The Tigers are 14-6 against the Griffons under Hobson, including a 4-6 mark on the road. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;now has 355 assists in her career at Fort Hays State, two shy of tying Roberta Augustine (1979-83) for fifth-most at FHSU. The No. 22 Griffons are 10-1 at home this season after suffering their first home loss on Thursday against UNK. The Griffons are seventh nationally while leading the conference with a scoring margin of +20.6. MWSU has the 19th-highest scoring offense in Division II, averaging 77.9 points per night to lead the MIAA. The Griffons rank 21st in DII with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.14. Connie Clarke nearly averages a double-double while leading the team with 13.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀📻 LISTEN - No. 2 Tiger women back on the road to battle No. 22 Griffons

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus recaps the Chiefs regular season finale in Denver and previews Sunday night's playoff matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday mornings around 8 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus recaps the Chiefs regular season finale in Denver and previews Sunday night's playoff matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday mornings around 8 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1196531086%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-aEG70Gpc25n&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/holthus-hotline-jan-15-2022/s-aEG70Gpc25n" title="Holthus Hotline (Jan 15, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline (Jan 15, 2022)</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus

ELLIS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs cruised to a doubleheader
sweep of the Ellis Railers Friday night in Ellis.

Girls: TMP 63, Ellis 26 Three TMP Lady Monarchs (6-2, 5-0 MCL) scored in double-figures
and they held Ellis without a point for the final 13:46 on their way to a 63-26
victory.

Ellis (2-6, 1-3 MCL) took and early 5-2 lead on a three-pointer,
but Sophia Balthazor and Emilee Lane answered with back-to-back three pointers
to put TMP up 8-5. They never trailed the rest of the way.

The Monarchs built a seven-point lead three times in the
first quarter, the final at 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.

After scoring seven first quarter points Balthazor added
eight more second quarter points as the Monarchs finished the second quarter
with a 10-2 run taking a 36-21 lead into the halftime break.

Ellis was able to close the deficit to 12 early in the third
quarter at 38-26 but TMP answered with a 25-0 run to end the game as TMP went
on to the 63-26 win.

Emilee Lane led all scorers with 20 points and Balthazor
added 18 points and Jaci VonLintel added 10 points.

Boys: TMP 68, Ellis 35 The TMP(5-2, 4-0 MCL) boys used a 16-2 run to open the game
and a 31-7 run to end the second quarter and into the third quarter on their
way to a 68-35 win over Ellis.

TMP junior Dylan Werth scored 10 of his game-high 18 points
in the first quarter as they built a 15-poin first quarter lead at 21-6. 

In the second quarter Ellis (4-4, 2-2 MCL) was able to close
within nine but the Monarchs answered with a 31-7 run that ended the second
quarter and opened the third quarter to go up 59-25.

Ellis was able to close the gap inside 30 briefly at the end
of the third before TMP took a 65-33 lead into the fourth quarter. With the continuous
clock in the fourth TMP went on to the 68-35 win.

Werth led all scorers with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Gavin
Unrein added 17 points and Kade Harris chipped in 13 points.

ELLIS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs cruised to a doubleheader
sweep of the Ellis Railers Friday night in Ellis.Girls: TMP 63, Ellis 26 Three TMP Lady Monarchs (6-2, 5-0 MCL) scored in double-figures
and they held Ellis without a point for the final 13:46 on their way to a 63-26
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/1196866582&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-814667509/01-14-22-tmp-girls-coach-int" title="01 - 14 - 22 - TMP coach Rose McFarland" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 - TMP coach Rose McFarland</a></div></div>Ellis (2-6, 1-3 MCL) took and early 5-2 lead on a three-pointer,
but Sophia Balthazor and Emilee Lane answered with back-to-back three pointers
to put TMP up 8-5. They never trailed the rest of the way.The Monarchs built a seven-point lead three times in the
first quarter, the final at 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.After scoring seven first quarter points Balthazor added
eight more second quarter points as the Monarchs finished the second quarter
with a 10-2 run taking a 36-21 lead into the halftime break.Ellis was able to close the deficit to 12 early in the third
quarter at 38-26 but TMP answered with a 25-0 run to end the game as TMP went
on to the 63-26 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/1196866552&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-814667509/01-14-22-tmp-girls-highlights" title="01 - 14 - 22 - TMP girls highlights vs Ellis" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 - TMP girls highlights vs Ellis</a></div></div>Emilee Lane led all scorers with 20 points and Balthazor
added 18 points and Jaci VonLintel added 10 points.Boys: TMP 68, Ellis 35 The TMP(5-2, 4-0 MCL) boys used a 16-2 run to open the game
and a 31-7 run to end the second quarter and into the third quarter on their
way to a 68-35 win over Ellis.<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/1196866624&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-814667509/01-14-22-tmp-boys-int" title="01 - 14 - 22 - TMP coach Bill Meagher" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 - TMP coach Bill Meagher</a></div></div>TMP junior Dylan Werth scored 10 of his game-high 18 points
in the first quarter as they built a 15-poin first quarter lead at 21-6. In the second quarter Ellis (4-4, 2-2 MCL) was able to close
within nine but the Monarchs answered with a 31-7 run that ended the second
quarter and opened the third quarter to go up 59-25.Ellis was able to close the gap inside 30 briefly at the end
of the third before TMP took a 65-33 lead into the fourth quarter. With the continuous
clock in the fourth TMP went on to the 68-35 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/1196866690&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-814667509/01-14-22-tmp-boys-highlights" title="01 - 14 - 22 TMP boys highlights vs Ellis" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 TMP boys highlights vs Ellis</a></div></div>Werth led all scorers with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Gavin
Unrein added 17 points and Kade Harris chipped in 13 points.

🏀TMP cruises to sweep of Ellis

Hays High wrapped up three consecutive Western Athletic Conference games with a trip to Garden City on Friday.

Hays and Garden City combined for six points over the first seven minutes of the game. The two remained tied at three points each for nearly five minutes before swapping the lead three times in the final :45 with Garden City leading 6-5.

The Indians opened the second quarter on a 11-0 run and never trailed again. Garden City trailed by 13 before cutting the lead down to 24-17 at halftime.

Garden City pulled within five points with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter but never closed any closer. The Indians outscored the Buffaloes 26-12 over the final ten minutes. Hays outscored Garden City 21-12 in the fourth quarter for a 58-39 win.

Molly Martin led the way with a career high 19 points. Jillyan Sheldon matched a career high with 10. Amaya Gallegos scored 12 for Garden City before fouling out.

Hays improves to 5-4 on the year, the first time they have been above .500. They even their conference record at 2-2. Garden City drops to 1-9 overall and 1-2 in the WAC.

Boys #7 Hays 69 - Garden City 42

Garden City led for the first three minutes of the game. Hays took the lead at 6-5 and never trailed again, using a 9-0 to take a 10-5 lead. The game was a single possession difference just two more times at 10-8 and 18-15.&nbsp;

The Indians ended the second half on a 10-4 run for a 28-19 lead heading into the locker room.&nbsp;

Hays achieved the most efficient half of basketball they played thus far. The Indians shot 88% in the second half, making 14 of 18 shots including all four of their three point attempts. They shot a season high 71% for the entire game on the way to a 69-42 win.

Jace Linenberger led all scoring with 20. Carson Kieffer and Jordan Dale each scored 13. Noah Weimer added 10 points. The Buffaloes were led by Jake Underwood's 11 points while Jace Steinmetz scored 10.

#7 Hays improves to 8-1 and 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. Garden City falls to 5-5 and 1-2.

The Indians will be in Colby for the Orange and Black Classic January 20th, 21st, and 22nd. The boys play Liberty, Colorado at 3:00 and the girls play Chanute on the first day of the tournament.

Hays High wrapped up three consecutive Western Athletic Conference games with a trip to Garden City on Friday.Girls Hays 58 - Garden City 39Hays and Garden City combined for six points over the first seven minutes of the game. The two remained tied at three points each for nearly five minutes before swapping the lead three times in the final :45 with Garden City leading 6-5.The Indians opened the second quarter on a 11-0 run and never trailed again. Garden City trailed by 13 before cutting the lead down to 24-17 at halftime.Highlights<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/1196844904&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&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-814667509/01-14-22-hhs-wbb-vs-garden-city-highlights" title="01 - 14 - 22 HHS WBB Vs Garden City Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 HHS WBB Vs Garden City Highlights</a></div></div>Garden City pulled within five points with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter but never closed any closer. The Indians outscored the Buffaloes 26-12 over the final ten minutes. Hays outscored Garden City 21-12 in the fourth quarter for a 58-39 win.Coach Len Melvin<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/1196844922&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&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-814667509/01-14-22-len-melvin-interview" title="01 - 14 - 22 Len Melvin Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 Len Melvin Interview</a></div></div>Molly Martin led the way with a career high 19 points. Jillyan Sheldon matched a career high with 10. Amaya Gallegos scored 12 for Garden City before fouling out.Hays improves to 5-4 on the year, the first time they have been above .500. They even their conference record at 2-2. Garden City drops to 1-9 overall and 1-2 in the WAC.Boys #7 Hays 69 - Garden City 42Garden City led for the first three minutes of the game. Hays took the lead at 6-5 and never trailed again, using a 9-0 to take a 10-5 lead. The game was a single possession difference just two more times at 10-8 and 18-15.&nbsp;The Indians ended the second half on a 10-4 run for a 28-19 lead heading into the locker room.&nbsp;Highlights<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/1196844895&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&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-814667509/01-14-22-hhs-mbb-vs-garden-city-highlights" title="01 - 14 - 22 HHS MBB Vs Garden City Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 HHS MBB Vs Garden City Highlights</a></div></div>Hays achieved the most efficient half of basketball they played thus far. The Indians shot 88% in the second half, making 14 of 18 shots including all four of their three point attempts. They shot a season high 71% for the entire game on the way to a 69-42 win.Coach Alex Hutchins<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/1196844874&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&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-814667509/01-14-22-coach-alex-hutchins-interview" title="01 - 14 - 22 Coach Alex Hutchins Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 14 - 22 Coach Alex Hutchins Interview</a></div></div>Jace Linenberger led all scoring with 20. Carson Kieffer and Jordan Dale each scored 13. Noah Weimer added 10 points. The Buffaloes were led by Jake Underwood's 11 points while Jace Steinmetz scored 10.#7 Hays improves to 8-1 and 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. Garden City falls to 5-5 and 1-2.The Indians will be in Colby for the Orange and Black Classic January 20th, 21st, and 22nd. The boys play Liberty, Colorado at 3:00 and the girls play Chanute on the first day of the tournament.

Road sweep for Hays in Garden City

The Hays High Indians travel to Garden City for a key Western Athletic Conference and rivalry games Friday.

The girls game will tipoff at approximately 6:00 with the boys to follow from Garden City High School.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/345138">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 Indians travel to Garden City for a key Western Athletic Conference and rivalry games Friday.The girls game will tipoff at approximately 6:00 with the boys to follow from Garden City High School.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/345138">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/345138?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High at Garden City

The TMP-Marian Monarchs travel to Ellis for a rivalry matchup with the Ellis Railroaders Friday night.

The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow from Ellis High School.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/341952">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-Marian Monarchs travel to Ellis for a rivalry matchup with the Ellis Railroaders Friday night.The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow from Ellis High School.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/341952">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/345196?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian at Ellis

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Due to COVID-19 protocols within the Missouri Western men's basketball program, the FHSU vs. MWSU men's contest in St. Joseph on Saturday (Jan. 15) has been postponed. The schools will work toward announcing a make-up date in the near future. This schedule change does not affect the FHSU women. The Tiger women will still play their 1:30 pm scheduled contest at Missouri Western on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642182163776.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Due to COVID-19 protocols within the Missouri Western men's basketball program, the FHSU vs. MWSU men's contest in St. Joseph on Saturday (Jan. 15) has been postponed. The schools will work toward announcing a make-up date in the near future. This schedule change does not affect the FHSU women. The Tiger women will still play their 1:30 pm scheduled contest at Missouri Western on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 FHSU men basketball game at Missouri Western postponed

The Champions Indoor Football (CIF) League board of directors has removed the Wichita Force from the league.

Following is a statement issued by the CIF on Thursday.

This week, the CIF Board of Directors made the decision to remove the Wichita Force from the CIF. The enormity of the decision is not lost on the Board of Directors. During this offseason, the CIF made a commitment to holding all member teams to the highest of standards. These standards apply evenly to all member teams. All members agreed in the offseason to begin enforcing professional standards leaguewide. The Wichita Force were found to be in violation of multiple league requirements and were given multiple opportunities to bring their organization into compliance. Unfortunately, they refused to comply, and the Board of Directors took this necessary step.

“This is a positive step forwards for the CIF. We are a professional football league, and our fans and players expect a professional product. We look forward to placing a new owner in the Wichita market in the coming seasons, one all fans can be proud of,” said J.R. Bond, Commissioner of the CIF.

The CIF prides itself on being a "players league" so all currently signed players with the Wichita Force will be released from their contracts and are free to sign with any other team.

The league will release an updated schedule in the coming days.

“We look forward to an exciting 2022 season and are excited to announce some exciting developments within the CIF, including new franchises, as we grow the CIF into the top professional indoor football league in America,” said Bond.

The Champions Indoor Football (CIF) League board of directors has removed the Wichita Force from the league. Salina Liberty is a member of the CIF.Following is a statement issued by the CIF on Thursday.This week, the CIF Board of Directors made the decision to remove the Wichita Force from the CIF. The enormity of the decision is not lost on the Board of Directors. During this offseason, the CIF made a commitment to holding all member teams to the highest of standards. These standards apply evenly to all member teams. All members agreed in the offseason to begin enforcing professional standards leaguewide. The Wichita Force were found to be in violation of multiple league requirements and were given multiple opportunities to bring their organization into compliance. Unfortunately, they refused to comply, and the Board of Directors took this necessary step.“This is a positive step forwards for the CIF. We are a professional football league, and our fans and players expect a professional product. We look forward to placing a new owner in the Wichita market in the coming seasons, one all fans can be proud of,” said J.R. Bond, Commissioner of the CIF.The CIF prides itself on being a "players league" so all currently signed players with the Wichita Force will be released from their contracts and are free to sign with any other team.The league will release an updated schedule in the coming days.“We look forward to an exciting 2022 season and are excited to announce some exciting developments within the CIF, including new franchises, as we grow the CIF into the top professional indoor football league in America,” said Bond.

CIF board removes Wichita Force from league

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Damion Baugh scored 12 points and his 3-pointer with 13 seconds left was part of an 8-0 run that TCU staged in the final 1:11 to beat Kansas State 60-57 on Wednesday night.

Markquis Nowell's layup with 1:50 left gave the Wildcats a 57-52 lead, but they'd never score again. Kansas State missed its last two shots, the front end of a 1-and-1 twice and turned it over once.

Mike Miles made two foul shots for TCU (11-2, 1-1 Big 12 Conference) with 1.4 seconds left. Nowell's little more than half-court heave bounced off the back rim to end it.

Miles scored 19 points and Emanuel Miller grabbed 10 rebounds for the Horned Frogs.

Nowell scored 18 points and was a pest on defense with seven steals. His seven strips tied for the most in a conference game in Kansas State (9-6, 1-3) history. LaKeith Humphrey snatched seven in a game in the former Big 8 Conference in the 1988-89 season. Nijel Pack and Mark Smith each scored 10.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Damion Baugh scored 12 points and his 3-pointer with 13 seconds left was part of an 8-0 run that TCU staged in the final 1:11 to beat Kansas State 60-57 on Wednesday night.Markquis Nowell's layup with 1:50 left gave the Wildcats a 57-52 lead, but they'd never score again. Kansas State missed its last two shots, the front end of a 1-and-1 twice and turned it over once.Mike Miles made two foul shots for TCU (11-2, 1-1 Big 12 Conference) with 1.4 seconds left. Nowell's little more than half-court heave bounced off the back rim to end it.Miles scored 19 points and Emanuel Miller grabbed 10 rebounds for the Horned Frogs.Nowell scored 18 points and was a pest on defense with seven steals. His seven strips tied for the most in a conference game in Kansas State (9-6, 1-3) history. LaKeith Humphrey snatched seven in a game in the former Big 8 Conference in the 1988-89 season. Nijel Pack and Mark Smith each scored 10.

🏀 TCU overtakes Kansas State in final 71 seconds to steal win

HAYS, Kan. – After trailing by 14 at halftime, Fort Hays State made a second-half surge against defending national champion and No. 2 ranked Northwest Missouri State. However, the rally came up short as the Bearcats pulled back away in the late going and won by a score of 74-60 in Hays. Northwest Missouri State improved to 14-1 overall, 7-0 in the MIAA, while FHSU is now 11-3 overall, 6-3 in the MIAA. The Bearcats never trailed from start to finish. FHSU tied the game three times in the early minutes of the contest, but Northwest Missouri State went on a 25-9 run over a span of about eight minutes to build a 16-point lead. NWMSU led 40-26 at the break.

The Bearcats extended their lead to 17 three times in the early portion of the second half, but then the Tigers turned up their defense and held the Bearcats scoreless for seven and a half minutes from the 16:30 to 9:00 marks of the second half. During that lockdown, the Tigers went on a 13-0 run to get the Bearcat lead down to four. The Tigers had a possession to draw even closer, but after a missed shot the Bearcats countered with a quick 7-0 burst to take their lead back up to 11 with 7:27 to play. The Tigers never pulled closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Wes Dreamer was a thorn in Fort Hays State's side throughout the evening as he hit five 3-point field goals and scored the first five points of that quick 7-0 run to snap the Bearcat drought. Dreamer went on to finish with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Trevor Hudgins, the Division II National Player of the Year 2020-21, finished with 19 points as well, though he struggled mightily beyond the 3-point line (1-of-10). He made up for that with a 6-of-6 effort at the free-throw line and now owns the MIAA record for consecutive free throws made with 41. He is 67-of-71 at the line on the season. Daniel Abreu gave the Bearcats three scorers in double figures with 16. The Bearcats shot a strong 51.2 percent overall from the field and 90.9 percent (20-of-22) at the free-throw line. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. He was a perfect 4-of-4 beyond the 3-point line.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;added 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6464">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;provided a nice spark off the bench for the Tigers with 11 points. The trio scored 45 of Fort Hays State's 60 points in the game. Fort Hays State will look to bounce back when it heads on the road Saturday (Jan. 15) to Missouri Western. The game is set to start at 3:30 pm, which follows the women's contest at 1:30 pm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642049771607.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Elijah Nnanabu scored a career-high 12 Wednesday night vs. NW Missouri State at Gross Memorial Coliseum. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Elijah Nnanabu scored a career-high 12 Wednesday night vs. NW Missouri State at Gross Memorial Coliseum. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS, Kan. – After trailing by 14 at halftime, Fort Hays State made a second-half surge against defending national champion and No. 2 ranked Northwest Missouri State. However, the rally came up short as the Bearcats pulled back away in the late going and won by a score of 74-60 in Hays. Northwest Missouri State improved to 14-1 overall, 7-0 in the MIAA, while FHSU is now 11-3 overall, 6-3 in the MIAA. The Bearcats never trailed from start to finish. FHSU tied the game three times in the early minutes of the contest, but Northwest Missouri State went on a 25-9 run over a span of about eight minutes to build a 16-point lead. NWMSU led 40-26 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/1195469308&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-814667509/01-12-22-fhsu-men-coach-int" title="Mark Johnson Postgame vs. #2 NW Missouri State (Jan 12, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame vs. #2 NW Missouri State (Jan 12, 2022)</a></div></div>The Bearcats extended their lead to 17 three times in the early portion of the second half, but then the Tigers turned up their defense and held the Bearcats scoreless for seven and a half minutes from the 16:30 to 9:00 marks of the second half. During that lockdown, the Tigers went on a 13-0 run to get the Bearcat lead down to four. The Tigers had a possession to draw even closer, but after a missed shot the Bearcats countered with a quick 7-0 burst to take their lead back up to 11 with 7:27 to play. The Tigers never pulled closer than eight points the rest of the way.<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/1195469284&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-814667509/01-12-22-fhsu-men-highlights" title="Fort Hays State MBB vs. #2 NW Missouri State Highlights (Jan 12, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB vs. #2 NW Missouri State Highlights (Jan 12, 2022)</a></div></div>Wes Dreamer was a thorn in Fort Hays State's side throughout the evening as he hit five 3-point field goals and scored the first five points of that quick 7-0 run to snap the Bearcat drought. Dreamer went on to finish with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Trevor Hudgins, the Division II National Player of the Year 2020-21, finished with 19 points as well, though he struggled mightily beyond the 3-point line (1-of-10). He made up for that with a 6-of-6 effort at the free-throw line and now owns the MIAA record for consecutive free throws made with 41. He is 67-of-71 at the line on the season. Daniel Abreu gave the Bearcats three scorers in double figures with 16. The Bearcats shot a strong 51.2 percent overall from the field and 90.9 percent (20-of-22) at the free-throw line. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. He was a perfect 4-of-4 beyond the 3-point line.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;added 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6464">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;provided a nice spark off the bench for the Tigers with 11 points. The trio scored 45 of Fort Hays State's 60 points in the game. Fort Hays State will look to bounce back when it heads on the road Saturday (Jan. 15) to Missouri Western. The game is set to start at 3:30 pm, which follows the women's contest at 1:30 pm.FHSU Athletics

🏀 No. 2 Bearcats hold off Tigers second half charge

HAYS, Kan. - The second-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team held off a late run by Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday (Jan. 12), beating the Bearcats by three, 63-60. The Tigers hit 5-of-6 from the line over the final 99 seconds and blocked two shots in the final 30 seconds to secure the victory. Northwest (11-3, 6-2 MIAA) led momentarily early in the game before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;scored the first five Tiger points to give the home team the lead. The Tigers (14-1, 8-1 MIAA) eventually led by eight at the end of the first quarter, 21-13, after hitting 63.6 percent from the floor (7-of-11).

The Tigers stretched the lead to 13 midway through the second quarter after opening the frame on a 7-2 run. The Bearcats started to figure things out over the final four minutes before halftime, hitting 5-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-3 from behind the arc to close within seven at halftime, 35-28. A layup from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;and two more buckets from Hollenbeck helped the Tigers push the lead back to 13 early in the third quarter before Northwest responded with a 13-4 run to close within four, 45-41.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;helped the Tigers bounce back with a traditional three-point play, but the Bearcats kept things rolling, closing within three by the end of the period, 50-47.

The teams traded punches early in the fourth quarter, with two hard-fought buckets from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6441">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;helping the Tigers maintain their lead. Northwest eventually tied things up with 4:34 to play, 54-54, but Wagner answered right away with a jumper to push the Tigers back in front. The Tiger defense held strong in the fourth quarter, holding Northwest without a field goal for more than five minutes over the heart of the period. Wagner and Hollenbeck both hit buckets before Wagner added a pair of free throws at the 1:39 mark to put the Tigers in front by five, 60-55. The Bearcats followed with a 3-pointer to close within two before Hobbs hit one free throw to make it a three-point game with 38 seconds to go. Northwest attempted a tying 3-pointer that was blocked into the second row by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;before the Bearcats hit two free throws, closing within one with 22 seconds to play. The Bearcats proceeded to poke away a steal to regain possession before Hobbs blocked a shot in the paint. Northwest missed its next two attempts, while Wagner hit two more free throws at the other end to help the Tigers hang on for their seventh-straight win. Wagner led all scorers with 20 points while also pacing the Tigers with seven rebounds and two blocks. Hollenbeck added 14 points, with Randall adding 12 points and three steals. Sallach hit all four of her attempts from the floor, totaling eight points and four rebounds off the bench. Hobbs contributed seven points, seven assists and three steals. The Tigers hit 44.2 percent from the floor (23-of-52), just behind Northwest's effort of 44.9 percent (22-of-49). Northwest kept things close by hitting 10 3-pointers (10-of-23, 43.5 percent), but Fort Hays State made up ground at the free-throw line. The Tigers hit 16-of-21 (76.2 percent) while the Bearcats hit just 6-of-8 from the charity stripe (75 percent). Fort Hays State outscored the Bearcats in the paint, 34-20, while Northwest held a slight edge in rebounds, 31-29. The Tigers return to the road Saturday (Jan. 15) when FHSU takes on No. 22 Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642049454607.jpeg" alt="Katie Wagner led the 2nd-ranked FHSU women's basketball team with 20 points Wednesday in their win over NW Missouri State at Gross Memorial Coliseum (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Katie Wagner led the 2nd-ranked FHSU women's basketball team with 20 points Wednesday in their win over NW Missouri State at Gross Memorial Coliseum (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS, Kan. - The second-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team held off a late run by Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday (Jan. 12), beating the Bearcats by three, 63-60. The Tigers hit 5-of-6 from the line over the final 99 seconds and blocked two shots in the final 30 seconds to secure the victory. Northwest (11-3, 6-2 MIAA) led momentarily early in the game before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6438">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;scored the first five Tiger points to give the home team the lead. The Tigers (14-1, 8-1 MIAA) eventually led by eight at the end of the first quarter, 21-13, after hitting 63.6 percent from the floor (7-of-11).<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/1195469038&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-814667509/01-12-22-fhsu-women-coach-int" title="Tony Hobson Postgame vs. NW Missouri State (Jan 12, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Postgame vs. NW Missouri State (Jan 12, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers stretched the lead to 13 midway through the second quarter after opening the frame on a 7-2 run. The Bearcats started to figure things out over the final four minutes before halftime, hitting 5-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-3 from behind the arc to close within seven at halftime, 35-28. A layup from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;and two more buckets from Hollenbeck helped the Tigers push the lead back to 13 early in the third quarter before Northwest responded with a 13-4 run to close within four, 45-41.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;helped the Tigers bounce back with a traditional three-point play, but the Bearcats kept things rolling, closing within three by the end of the period, 50-47.<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/1195469002&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-814667509/01-12-22-fhsu-women-highlights" title="#2 Fort Hays State WBB vs. NW Missouri State Highlights (Jan 12, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#2 Fort Hays State WBB vs. NW Missouri State Highlights (Jan 12, 2022)</a></div></div>The teams traded punches early in the fourth quarter, with two hard-fought buckets from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6441">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;helping the Tigers maintain their lead. Northwest eventually tied things up with 4:34 to play, 54-54, but Wagner answered right away with a jumper to push the Tigers back in front. The Tiger defense held strong in the fourth quarter, holding Northwest without a field goal for more than five minutes over the heart of the period. Wagner and Hollenbeck both hit buckets before Wagner added a pair of free throws at the 1:39 mark to put the Tigers in front by five, 60-55. The Bearcats followed with a 3-pointer to close within two before Hobbs hit one free throw to make it a three-point game with 38 seconds to go. Northwest attempted a tying 3-pointer that was blocked into the second row by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6443">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;before the Bearcats hit two free throws, closing within one with 22 seconds to play. The Bearcats proceeded to poke away a steal to regain possession before Hobbs blocked a shot in the paint. Northwest missed its next two attempts, while Wagner hit two more free throws at the other end to help the Tigers hang on for their seventh-straight win. Wagner led all scorers with 20 points while also pacing the Tigers with seven rebounds and two blocks. Hollenbeck added 14 points, with Randall adding 12 points and three steals. Sallach hit all four of her attempts from the floor, totaling eight points and four rebounds off the bench. Hobbs contributed seven points, seven assists and three steals. The Tigers hit 44.2 percent from the floor (23-of-52), just behind Northwest's effort of 44.9 percent (22-of-49). Northwest kept things close by hitting 10 3-pointers (10-of-23, 43.5 percent), but Fort Hays State made up ground at the free-throw line. The Tigers hit 16-of-21 (76.2 percent) while the Bearcats hit just 6-of-8 from the charity stripe (75 percent). Fort Hays State outscored the Bearcats in the paint, 34-20, while Northwest held a slight edge in rebounds, 31-29. The Tigers return to the road Saturday (Jan. 15) when FHSU takes on No. 22 Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 No. 2 Tiger women hold off Bearcats

#2/2 Northwest Missouri State (13-1, 6-0 MIAA) at RV/RV Fort Hays State (11-2, 6-2 MIAA) Wednesday, January 12 • 7:30 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Game Sponsor:&nbsp;American Family Insurance - Brian Ruder Agency National Anthem:&nbsp;Trilogy Promotions:&nbsp;Mascot Night &amp; FHSU Men's Basketball Camper Appreciation Halftime Performances:&nbsp;Tiger Debs &amp; Mascots Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will face a strong challenge on Wednesday night (Jan. 12) when defending national champion and No. 2/2 ranked Northwest Missouri State comes to Hays. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, which follows the women's contest at 5:30 pm. The Tigers are receiving votes in both national polls, entering this game at 11-2 overall, 6-2 in the MIAA, while the Bearcats enter at 13-1 overall and 6-0 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State is looking to snap an 11-game losing streak to Northwest Missouri State, which dates back to the 2012-13 season. The Tigers were MIAA regular season co-champions that season and defeated the Bearcats twice during the regular season before falling to them in the conference tournament, which was the start of the current streak. Since then, Northwest Missouri State has won nine straight MIAA regular season titles, starting in 2013-14. The Tigers are looking to pull within a game of the Bearcats in the loss column in conference play. Northwest Missouri State is the only remaining undefeated team in conference play, while Central Oklahoma and Missouri Southern each have one loss and Fort Hays State and Emporia State have two losses. Fort Hays State defeated Central Missouri in its last outing, a five-point comeback win in Hays by a score of 64-59. The Tigers trailed by nine at halftime of that contest. FHSU is 3-2 this season when trailing at the half. A 13-point halftime deficit at Emporia State was their largest second-half comeback win this season. Northwest Missouri State has not played since last Monday, when it defeated Pittsburg State by 10 points in Maryville. This will be just the third road test in MIAA play so far this season for the Bearcats after road wins at Lincoln and Central Missouri. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;is averaging a double-double to lead the Tigers, producing 14.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season. He is the only player in the MIAA averaging more than 10 rebounds per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;is right behind in scoring at 14.4 points per game, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;also averages double figures at 10.9 per game. Hammeke averages a team-best 3.4 assists per game. The Bearcats are led by 2021 NABC Division II Player of the Year Trevor Hudgins, who averages 24.6 points and 4.1 assists per game so far this season. Individually, he averages 5.2 3-point field goal makes per game and is shooting a staggering 93.8 percent at the free-throw line (61-of-65). Wes Dreamer (13.9) and Diego Bernard (12.1) also average double figures in scoring for the Bearcats. Four of the five Bearcat starters shoot better than 40 percent beyond the 3-point line, helping the team to a team percentage of 41.7 beyond the arc that leads the MIAA and ranks ninth nationally.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641993486362.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Kaleb Hammeke (Courtesy FHSU Atheltics, Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Kaleb Hammeke (Courtesy FHSU Atheltics, Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>#2/2 Northwest Missouri State (13-1, 6-0 MIAA) at RV/RV Fort Hays State (11-2, 6-2 MIAA) Wednesday, January 12 • 7:30 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Game Sponsor:&nbsp;American Family Insurance - Brian Ruder Agency National Anthem:&nbsp;Trilogy Promotions:&nbsp;Mascot Night &amp; FHSU Men's Basketball Camper Appreciation Halftime Performances:&nbsp;Tiger Debs &amp; Mascots Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will face a strong challenge on Wednesday night (Jan. 12) when defending national champion and No. 2/2 ranked Northwest Missouri State comes to Hays. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, which follows the women's contest at 5:30 pm. The Tigers are receiving votes in both national polls, entering this game at 11-2 overall, 6-2 in the MIAA, while the Bearcats enter at 13-1 overall and 6-0 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State is looking to snap an 11-game losing streak to Northwest Missouri State, which dates back to the 2012-13 season. The Tigers were MIAA regular season co-champions that season and defeated the Bearcats twice during the regular season before falling to them in the conference tournament, which was the start of the current streak. Since then, Northwest Missouri State has won nine straight MIAA regular season titles, starting in 2013-14. The Tigers are looking to pull within a game of the Bearcats in the loss column in conference play. Northwest Missouri State is the only remaining undefeated team in conference play, while Central Oklahoma and Missouri Southern each have one loss and Fort Hays State and Emporia State have two losses. Fort Hays State defeated Central Missouri in its last outing, a five-point comeback win in Hays by a score of 64-59. The Tigers trailed by nine at halftime of that contest. FHSU is 3-2 this season when trailing at the half. A 13-point halftime deficit at Emporia State was their largest second-half comeback win this season. Northwest Missouri State has not played since last Monday, when it defeated Pittsburg State by 10 points in Maryville. This will be just the third road test in MIAA play so far this season for the Bearcats after road wins at Lincoln and Central Missouri. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;is averaging a double-double to lead the Tigers, producing 14.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season. He is the only player in the MIAA averaging more than 10 rebounds per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;is right behind in scoring at 14.4 points per game, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;also averages double figures at 10.9 per game. Hammeke averages a team-best 3.4 assists per game. The Bearcats are led by 2021 NABC Division II Player of the Year Trevor Hudgins, who averages 24.6 points and 4.1 assists per game so far this season. Individually, he averages 5.2 3-point field goal makes per game and is shooting a staggering 93.8 percent at the free-throw line (61-of-65). Wes Dreamer (13.9) and Diego Bernard (12.1) also average double figures in scoring for the Bearcats. Four of the five Bearcat starters shoot better than 40 percent beyond the 3-point line, helping the team to a team percentage of 41.7 beyond the arc that leads the MIAA and ranks ninth nationally.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀📻 LISTEN - Tiger men take a shot at defending national champs Wednesday night

You see the product on the field. #7 for Hays High accelerating towards the end zone or running through a tackle. The highlights under the Friday night lights are just a small part of the story for Jaren Kanak.

It is the work away from the field that built the Kanak into the top prospect out of Kansas for this signing class. That work included multiple trips to the gym in a single day. Extra foot work and speed drills at home and about any place he could find space.

The spring of 2021 proved to be where Kanak's recruiting profile exploded. The then junior, clocked a fully automated timed 10.37 second 100 meter dash. That time is one of the fastest in Kanas high school history.

Kanak originally committed to Clemson and planned to sign his National Letter of Intent during the early signing period in December. Plans however changed. Brent Venables, who was the major recruiter of Kanak, left his position as defensive coordinator at Clemson to become the head coach at the University of Oklahoma.

The relationship that he had built with Venables left Kanak wondering if he should make a change as well. Following some extensive soul searching, Kanak found himself leaning toward a change to the Sooners as well.

The process though took long enough to take out the possibility of signing a National Letter of Intent with Oklahoma in December. This result was no problem for Kanak as he went ahead and enrolled at Oklahoma for the spring 2022 semester. Kanak had already planned on graduating early from Hays High and completed the necessary course work.

In lieu of a signing celebration, since the next signing period opens in February, a commitment celebration was held for Kanak at Hays High School. The financial aid agreement that Kanak signed for the upcoming semester acted as a letter of intent, he will soon be placed on scholarship. The celebration took place on Wednesday, just a few days before Kanak moves to Norman, Oklahoma to begin his academic work and spring football.

Kanak played quarterback his senior year after primarily being a receiver for the past three seasons. The 2021 season broke several record for Hays High football. Total yards in a season, total rushing yards, and scoring total. Kanak broke the school record for total rushing yards at 1,615 and points scored in a season with 142.&nbsp;

Kanak's new position in college won't have him running through would be tacklers on his way to the end zone and landing at #2 on the ESPN's Top 10 plays. Instead he will be the one doing the tackling from a linebacker position.

You see the product on the field. #7 for Hays High accelerating towards the end zone or running through a tackle. The highlights under the Friday night lights are just a small part of the story for Jaren Kanak.It is the work away from the field that built the Kanak into the top prospect out of Kansas for this signing class. That work included multiple trips to the gym in a single day. Extra foot work and speed drills at home and about any place he could find space.Jaren Kanak<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1195182064&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/jaren-kanak-going-to-oklahoma" title="Jaren Kanak Going To Oklahoma" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Jaren Kanak Going To Oklahoma</a></div></div>The spring of 2021 proved to be where Kanak's recruiting profile exploded. The then junior, clocked a fully automated timed 10.37 second 100 meter dash. That time is one of the fastest in Kanas high school history.Kanak originally committed to Clemson and planned to sign his National Letter of Intent during the early signing period in December. Plans however changed. Brent Venables, who was the major recruiter of Kanak, left his position as defensive coordinator at Clemson to become the head coach at the University of Oklahoma.The relationship that he had built with Venables left Kanak wondering if he should make a change as well. Following some extensive soul searching, Kanak found himself leaning toward a change to the Sooners as well.The process though took long enough to take out the possibility of signing a National Letter of Intent with Oklahoma in December. This result was no problem for Kanak as he went ahead and enrolled at Oklahoma for the spring 2022 semester. Kanak had already planned on graduating early from Hays High and completed the necessary course work.In lieu of a signing celebration, since the next signing period opens in February, a commitment celebration was held for Kanak at Hays High School. The financial aid agreement that Kanak signed for the upcoming semester acted as a letter of intent, he will soon be placed on scholarship. The celebration took place on Wednesday, just a few days before Kanak moves to Norman, Oklahoma to begin his academic work and spring football.Coach Tony Crough<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1195182286&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/tony-crough-about-kanak" title="Tony Crough About Kanak" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Crough About Kanak</a></div></div>Kanak played quarterback his senior year after primarily being a receiver for the past three seasons. The 2021 season broke several record for Hays High football. Total yards in a season, total rushing yards, and scoring total. Kanak broke the school record for total rushing yards at 1,615 and points scored in a season with 142.&nbsp;Kanak's new position in college won't have him running through would be tacklers on his way to the end zone and landing at #2 on the ESPN's Top 10 plays. Instead he will be the one doing the tackling from a linebacker position.