Fort Hays State hit just one field goal in the final 12 minutes as Northwest Missouri stormed from behind to earn a spot in the MIAA Championship. The Bearcats shot .400 in the second half to earn the 73-66 victory in semi-final action.
Fort Hays State began to build the lead late in the first half, leading by as much as six and taking a five-point lead into the break. In the second half FHSU got the lead out to 12 points at the 13:35 mark, but would hit a field goal at 12:35 and not score again from the field until the 13 second mark. Northwest Missouri doubled up the Tigers score in the pain in the second half and got ten points off of their bench.
Dillon Starzl led the way for the Bearcats scoring 20 points and pulling down seven rebounds. DeAngelo Hailey scored 13 points before leaving the game early due to injury. Stepping in for Hailey Bryston Williams finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Alex Sullivan hit three from beyond the arc and finished with 11 points on the afternoon while Matt Wallace added nine assists. For the Tigers Ben Congiusta scored 21 points and added two assists. Lance Russell scored scored 16 points and pulled down four rebounds. Rundell Mauge had six blocks, scored six points and pulled down four rebounds.
FHSU ends the season at 20-8 and co-MIAA regular season champions.
