FHSU Athletics
#18/RV Fort Hays State (18-5, 13-4 MIAA)
at Lincoln (13-9, 8-8 MIAA)
Thursday, February 15, 2024 • 7:30 p.m.
Jefferson City, Mo. • Jason Gym
Radio: KJLS (103.3) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Video: The MIAA Network CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)
Fort Hays State embarks on its final road trip of the regular season this week in Missouri. First stop will be at Lincoln University on Thursday night in Jefferson City. The Tigers enter at 18-5 overall and 13-4 in the MIAA, while Lincoln is 13-9 overall and 8-8 in the MIAA. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside of Jason Gym.
This is the second meeting between FHSU and Lincoln this season. FHSU took the first game 69-64 in Hays back on January 6, extending its win streak in the series between the teams to six-straight games. FHSU leads the all-time series with Lincoln 21-10. FHSU has won the last two meetings between the teams in Jefferson City.
Fort Hays State is currently on a two-game win streak after wins at home over Newman and Central Oklahoma last week. The Tigers are 5-5 in true road games this season, including a 5-4 mark for MIAA road games.
Lincoln is currently on a two-game slide after losing twice on the road last week at Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. This is Lincoln's first contest at home since January 27, when it fell to then No. 21 ranked Northwest Missouri State. Lincoln's last win at home was over a ranked team as they defeated a No. 22 ranked Missouri Western squad on January 24 by 10 points. The Blue Tigers are 6-4 this season at home.
Elijah Nnanabu goes into Thursday's contest on a seven-game streak of scoring in double figures. He is averaging 12.7 points per game. Kaleb Hammeke continues to lead the Tigers in scoring at 14.3 per game and adds 4.2 assists per game.
The Tigers continue to lead NCAA Division II in scoring defense at 57.4 points per game allowed. FHSU and Northwest Missouri State (59.9) are the only teams in NCAA Division II allowing fewer than 60 per game on average. FHSU owns the fourth-best field goal percentage defense in NCAA Division II at 39.3 percent and leads the MIAA in that category as well.
DJ Richardson leads Lincoln in scoring at 15.6 points per game. He is one of three Blue Tigers averaging double figures in scoring. Elijah Farr is their top rebounder at 6.7 per game. Richardson scored 20 in the first meeting with FHSU this season, while Farr had 19. Four of Lincoln's starters in the first meeting of the season with FHSU accounted for 56 of the team's 64 points.