By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Fort Hays State men's basketball team had a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the MIAA and with about 10 minutes to play it looked they would do just that but Pittsburg State held the Tigers to one field goal over the final 7:41 and won 74-62 Saturday afternoon at John Lance Arena.
The Gorillas (9-5, 5-3 MIAA) closed the game on 23-6 run after falling behind by five and ended Fort Hays State's (12-4, 7-3 MIAA) four-game win-streak.
The Tigers pulled within two with a Kaleb Hammeke three with 3:09 to play but the Gorillas scored the last 10 points of the game for the only double-digit lead by either team.
After the Tigers made the opening basket of the game, the Gorillas scored eight straight points to take a six-point lead early. FHSU moved back in front with a 7-0 run, capped on a 3-point play by Jahiem Holden to give the Tigers a 20-17 lead. After the Gorillas knotted the score at 20, FHSU went on a 10-2 burst to take a 30-22 lead with 3:22 to go before halftime, but PSU ended the half on a 5-0 run to get back within three at 30-27.
Pitt State continued its run to open the second half, scoring the first two baskets to cap a 9-0 run and take the lead back at 31-30. The Gorillas pushed the lead to four before the Tigers went on an 8-0 run to take a four-point lead fueled by four points each from Kyle Grill and Kaleb Hammeke. It started a larger 14-3 run for the Tigers that pushed their lead back out to seven with under 10 minutes to play.
The Gorillas shot a blistering 65.2 percent from the field in the second half, while FHSU hit just 35.5 percent of its field goals after halftime.
Hammeke finished with a team-high 14 points for the Tigers, while Kyle Grill and Jahiem Holden added 13 each. It was a new season/career high for Grill, his first game in double figures as a Tiger, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the field. Hammeke also led the Tigers with eight rebounds and three assists.
Deshaun English II led Pitt State with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds. Jeramy Shaw added 14 points and Tanner Mans scored 12.
The Tigers remained alone in second place alone in the MIAA, just a half-game back of Northwest Missouri State who also lost Saturday at Missouri Western.
FHSU preps for another road contest at Nebraska-Kearney next Saturday (Jan. 20). The Lopers are currently 5-10 overall and 2-8 in the MIAA.
FHSU Sports Information contributed to this story