HAYS - Jared Vitztum scored 25 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help lead Fort Hays State to a 69-64 win over the Newman Jets. It's VItztum's NCAA II leading eighth double-double as the Tigers (6-8, 6-8 MIAA) win their second straight and three of their four games. Newman (2-12, 2-12 MIAA) have lost eight straight.
The game was tight throughout with neither team leading by more six. There were 11 ties and 11 lead changes. Newman's biggest lead was five with 9:24 to play. The Tigers led by six at the 16:13 mark of the second half after holding a 37-36 hafltime advantage.
Newman held a two-point lead with five and half minutes remaining, but a 3-point play by Vitztum put the Tigers in front for good. The Jets closed within two on a three-point play with 25 seconds left but Kaleb Hammeke put the game away by making two free throws five seconds later.
Alvin Thompson added 13 points and five assists and Gilbert Peters chipped in 10 points.