ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - No. 22 Missouri Western shot 58-percent in the second half and ended Fort Hays State's three-game win streak with an 84-76 win Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
The Tigers (3-4, 3-4 MIAA) led by 19-18 with just under nine minutes to play in the first half, but the Griffons used an 18-4 run over the next four minutes to take control.
After building a 10-point lead at the half, MWSU (6-1, 6-1 MIAA) outscored the Tigers 18-4 to open the second half to build the lead to 24 and would lead by as many as 25 with 6:57 to play.
The Tigers pulled within 15 with a little over five minutes to play but five straight by the Griffons ended any chance of a comeback. FHSU did score the final 11 points and have now played in 12 straight games decidecd by 10 points or less.
FHSU had five players score in double-figures, led by Kaleb Hammeke's 18 points.
Hammeke finished 7-of-15 from the field and went 3-of-4 at the free-throw line. Jared Vitztum produced his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and a team-best 12 rebounds. Quinten Rock also had 14 points, Jonsson finished with a new career-high 12 points, and Peters chipped in 11 points off the bench. FHSU had another strong day at the free-throw line, going 12-of-14 as a team (85.7 percent).
Tyrell Carroll had 20 points to lead the Griffons, while Will Eames produced a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.