FHSU Athletics
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Fort Hays State fell to Central Missouri in a very low-scoring contest on Saturday. A very rough shooting first half for FHSU was too much to overcome in a 41-31 loss to the Mules. FHSU moved to 13-7 overall, 6-5 in the MIAA, while the Mules moved to 11-10 overall and 6-6 in the MIAA.
The Tigers shot only 12 percent (3-of-25) from the field in the first half and trailed 26-11 by halftime. The Tigers did not climb into double figures until the 3:17 mark of the opening half. However, the Tigers defended very well throughout the game and left themselves within striking distance going into the second half.
The Tigers started to cut into the Mules' lead early in the second half, going on a 7-2 run out of the break. The lead was down to 10 at the first media break of the second frame. The Tigers cut the lead inside of 10 on a pair of Traejon Davis free throws with 8:02 to play and eventually trimmed it to seven on a pair of Kaleb Hammeke free throws with 3:21 to play. However, a 3-point field goal by the Mules pretty much snapped any hope of a late comeback by the Tigers. FHSU outscored UCM 20-15 in the second half.
It was a day for the Tigers to forget, finishing just 10-of-50 from the field (20 percent) overall. Davis was the only Tiger to hit a 3-point field goal as the Tigers finished 1-of-15 beyond the arc (6.7 percent). The Tigers did well handling the ball with just six turnovers, while forcing the Mules into 13. The 31 total points by FHSU was its fewest in a game since December 23, 1949, when it fell 36-27 at Oklahoma City University. It was only the fourth time FHSU was held inside of 40 points since that game in 1949.
Central Missouri shot just 35 percent from the field overall and 26.3 percent beyond the 3-point line. The 41 points was the fewest for Central Missouri since the 2020-21 season when it scored just 37 points in a loss to Northwest Missouri State. It was their fewest points in a win since the 1983-84 season when it won 38-37 over Lincoln in Warrensburg.
Kyle Grill led the Tigers with 10 points and six rebounds. With the offensive struggles, the Tigers only had two assists in the game with R.J. Crawford and Muhamed Kante each recording one. Kaleb Hammeke was held in single figures scoring for the first time this season with seven points. Davis also had seven points. Dan Makuna was the only Tiger off the bench to score with three points.
Elijah Farr led the Mules with 13 points, followed by DeAirius Barker with 11 and Josh Nwankwo with 10. UCM shot 47.6 percent in the first half, but just 21.1 percent in the second half.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State returns home for a pair of games at Gross Memorial Coliseum next week. The Tigers host Northeastern State on Thursday and then Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday.