By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State didn't have their best shooting day, but they made enough key shots down the stretch and got several key stops and beat a pesky Emporia State squad 67-62 Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers remain unbeaten at home and improve to 15-4 overall and 10-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets dropped to 13-8 overall and 6-7 in the MIAA.
For a second-straight game, the Tigers raced to an early lead. Three-straight traditional three-point plays helped them to an early 11-2 advantage. They would lead 19-10 before an 8-0 run by the Hornets closed the gap to one. ESU scored the final eight points of the first half to take their first lead of the game at the half, 36-35.
The Hornets scored the first four points of the second half to build their biggest lead at 40-35 but R.J Crawford hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers which triggered a 9-1 run which put FHSU back in front 44-41.
The Hornets scored the next seven to go up 48-44 but a quick 7-0 run by the Tigers gave them a three-point lead at 51-48, The Hornets would to go up 58-57 on an Alijah Comithier 3-pointer with 4:22 to play but the Tigers scored the next six capped by an R.J. Crawford basket at the end of the shot clock with with 1:54 to play.
ESU came up short on its next two possessions, hitting just one-of-two free throws to make it a three-point game and then turned the ball over late when they had a chance to potentially tie the game. Bjarni Jonsson put the game away with a pair of free throws with five seconds remaining following a steal.
Elijah Nnanabu finished with a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. The 10 rebounds matched his career and season high. Kaleb Hammeke finished with 15, while pulling down seven rebounds and dishing out a team-high four assists. Jonsson had nine points and came up with a new career-high seven steals.
Alijah Comithier led the Hornets in scoring with 21 points. Atavian Butler and Owen Long each added 12.
The Tigers now prepare for a big road trip next week to Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State. Missouri Western is currently in fourth place in the MIAA, two games back of FHSU. Northwest Missouri State leads the MIAA by one game over FHSU.