By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State scored the first 24 points of the second half and cruised to a 75-46 win over Manhattan Christian College Saturday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigers improved to 4-1 while the Thunder remain 1-4 in what was their fourth straight exhibition game against a Division II opponent.
Manhattan Christian hit seven first half 3-pointers to build several four-point leads. The Tigers scored the final four points of the first half to tie the gamer 33-33.
Manhattan Christian missed their first 14 field goal attempts of the second half.
Elijah Nnanabu led FHSU with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Kaleb Hammeke and R.J. Crawford each added 13 points. Hammeke led the Tigers with seven assists, while Traejon Davis pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.
Dyelan Reed led MCC with 15 points. Jaxon Hurla added 11 .
FHSU shot 52.4 percent overall for the game, which included a 58.1 percent effort in the second half. The Tigers held the Thunder to 27.0 percent shooting including just a 1-of-12 effort beyond the 3-point line in the second half.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State enters conference play on Thursday night at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m., which follows the women's contest at 5:30 p.m.