FHSU Athletics
Emporia State (8-15, 4-10 MIAA)
at Fort Hays State (15-8, 7-7 MIAA)
Thursday, February 12 • 7:30 p.m.
Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum
Radio: KJLS (103.3) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Video: MIAA Network: CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)
Game Sponsor: Buff Car Wash
National Anthem: Tiger Tots
Promotions: Styles Dance at halftime
Fort Hays State is back at home this week for a pair of games, starting with long-time rival Emporia State on Thursday night (Feb. 12). The Tigers are looking to snap their four-game losing skid, while looking for a sweep of the regular-season series with the Hornets. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers enter at 15-8 overall and 7-7 in the MIAA, while the Hornets are 8-15 overall and 4-10 in the MIAA.
The Tigers had a tough road trip last week, falling by just two points at Northeastern State before running into Arkansas-Fort Smith the hottest shooting team it has faced this season. The Tigers will be looking to climb back up in the MIAA standings after sitting in second place just two weeks ago.
Emporia State is coming off a loss at home to Missouri Southern this past Saturday. Prior to that, the Hornets claimed a three-point win over Pittsburg State, but have dropped four of their last five games overall.
Fort Hays State edged Emporia State 73-70 in the first meeting of the season in Emporia. The Tigers were able to hold off a late push from the Hornets, winning their fifth game in the last six meetings between the teams. Dan Mukuna led the Tigers with a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Kyle Grill added 16 and Jahvari Martino had 12.
Fort Hays State holds a 109-88 advantage in the all-time series with Emporia State. The Tigers have won the last two meetings between the teams in Hays.
Mukuna continues to lead the Tigers at 17.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He saw his 13-game streak of scoring in double figures ended at Arkansas-Fort Smith last Saturday, but has reached double figures in 19 of 23 games overall this season. Kyle Grill averaged 16.5 points and Muhamed Kante averaged 14.5 in the road games last week.
Chris Harris leads the Hornets in scoring at 12.5 points per game, while Andrew Pengel also averages double figures at 10.2 per game.