By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State used an early 11-0 run to build a double-digit first half lead then opened the second half with a 15-2 run and defeated Bethel College 73-48 in their final non-conference game Wednesday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Bethel's only lead of the game came on the game's opening basket, but the Tigers scored the next 11 and led by as many as 17 in the first half and as many as 28 with 3:14 to play.
Traejon Davis led the Tigers with a career-high 19 points, going 6-of-8 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line. He also notched a career-high four steals and pulled down eight rebounds. Jahiem Holden scored 14 points and Shaun Riley added 11.
The Tigers (8-2) had another strong defensive effort, holding Bethel (5-6) to 28-percent shooting and forcing them into 17 turnovers, outscoring them 19-5 in points off turnovers.
FHSU shot 45 percent for the game despite making only 3-of-18 shots from 3-point range.
Fort Hays State, who leads NCAA Division II in scoring defense, has held the opposition under 50 points in six of the last seven games which jhave all resulted in wins.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State returns to conference play this weekend at Newman University on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita.