FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State picked up a win in its regular season finale on Thursday night by defeating Nebraska-Kearney 88-73. The Tigers moved to 19-9 overall and 11-8 in the MIAA. They will have to wait on the results from games this coming Saturday to find out their seed for the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City. UNK fell to 13-17 overall and 6-13 in the MIAA.
The Tigers faced a handful of small deficits in the first half before eventually taking a 35-32 lead into halftime. FHSU's largest lead of the first half was seven points at the 12:54 mark, while UNK never led by more than two. Kyle Grill led the Tigers in the first half with nine points.
The Tigers held on to their lead the entire second half. After Grill hit a 3-point field goal to open the second half, the Lopers never got any closer than six points of the Tigers the rest of the way. The Tigers used a 9-0 run to gain substantial separation at the 9:07 mark, going up 15. They eventually led by 21 at the 4:18 mark on a pair of Juju Ramirez free throws, their largest lead of the game. The Tigers coasted to the 15-point win from that point.
Dan Mukuna heated up in the second half, scoring 20 of his game-high 24 points. He added 13 rebounds for a double-double and tied for the team lead in assists with Ramirez, both with four. Grill finished with 18 points, adding another nine after halftime. Muhamed Kante was two points shy of his season high, finishing with 17, while Jahvari Martino added 12. The Tigers hit 25 free throws in the game, their new high in MIAA play this season and just one shy of their season high.
Ja'Bryant Hill led UNK with 14 points and seven assists. Anthony Swift had 12 points before fouling out and Kendrick Gilbert added 11.
The MIAA Tournament is set to run from Wednesday, March 4 to Sunday, March 8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. If the Tigers are higher than a No. 7 seed, they will play their first game on Friday, but No. 7 through 10 seeds play their first games on Wednesday.