HAYS - Fort Hays State's chances at making the MIAA Tournament took a hit Tuesday. The Tigers were held to 18-percent three-point shooting and lost 78-73 to Missouri Western State in a makeup game at Gross Coliseum.
After a sluggish start by both teams, the Griffons (12-9, 12-9 MIAA) used an 11-2 run to build a 17-11 lead midway through the first half and would lead most of the way. MWSU built the lead to nine with a little over two minutes in the half before a 6-0 run by the Tigers closed the gap to 39-36 at halftime.
FHSU (11-10, 11-10 MIAA) scored the first four points of the second half on baskets from Bjarni Jonsson and Kaleb Hammeke to cap a 10-0 run and take a 40-39 lead but the Griffons quickly responded with a 9-2 run and never trailed again.
Nyjee Wright hit a pair of free throws with 38-seconds to play to pull the Tigers within one but Tyrell Carroll hit a pair of free throws on the next possession to push the lead to three.
Quinton Rock had a shot in the lane blocked by Caleb Bennett with 11 seconds to play then two free throws from Reese Glover put the game away for MWSU.
The Tigers shot 47-percent for the game but were held to 4-of-22 from beyond the arc. The Griffons, who entered the game as one of the worst free throw shooting teams in the MIAA, went 20-for-22 from the fould line while the Tigers were 17-of-24.
Jared Vitztum led the Tigers with his 12th double-double of the season scoring 20 points along with 10 rebounds. Jonsson scored a career-high 13, Rock 11 and Gilbert Peters 10.
Carroll led the Griffons with 25 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
The Tigers close out the regular season Saturday at No. 1 Northwest Missouri State.