FHSU Athletics
Fort Hays State (8-3, 3-2 MIAA)
at Central Oklahoma (12-1, 4-1 MIAA)
Sunday, December 31 • 2 p.m.
Edmond, Okla. • Hamilton Field House
Radio: KJLS (103.3) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Video: The MIAA Network CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)
Fort Hays State men's basketball returns from its mandatory holiday break on Sunday at Central Oklahoma. The Tigers enter the game at 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while the Bronchos are 12-1 overall and 4-1 in the MIAA. In the latest national polls, UCO holds a No. 5 ranking in the NABC poll and a No. 8 ranking in the D2CSC poll. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. inside Hamilton Field House in Edmond.
Fort Hays State holds a 21-13 advantage in the all-time series, despite the Bronchos winning the last five meetings between the teams. UCO won all three meetings between the teams last year, winning the home-away series in the regular season and then a meeting in the MIAA Tournament semifinals that ended FHSU's season.
The Tigers are coming off a tough two-point overtime loss at Newman University. It was their second overtime loss this season, both which have been in road contests. FHSU has lost just three times to Newman in Mark Johnson's coaching tenure, and all three were in Wichita by two points or less.
Even though the Tigers own the best scoring defense in NCAA Division II at 56.8 points per game, they have allowed 76 and 77 points in their last two road games, which both resulted in losses. The Tigers have allowed more than 70 points in all three losses this year, but held the opponent under 70 in regulation of both overtime losses. The opposition has averaged 76 points per game in FHSU's three losses this season, but just 49.6 points per game in FHSU's eight wins this season.
The Tigers have held the opposition to less than 50 points in its last six wins, which includes three wins in MIAA play. The Tigers held Northeastern State to just 43 in a road contest in Tahlequah, then held Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western to 49 points each in a pair of wins at home.
The fewest points the Tigers have allowed at Hamilton Field House in Edmond is 66, which has occurred three times (twice in wins, once in a loss). The Tigers allowed 66 to the Bronchos last year in Edmond, but did not have enough offense in a 15-point loss. This will be the fifth straight meeting in which the Bronchos hold a Top 25 national ranking.