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HAYS, Kan. -- The Central Missouri Mules came up short in their MIAA opener falling 77-72 to Fort Hays State on Wednesday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The game had eight ties and 14 lead changes before the Tigers seized control at the end to claim the win.
The Tigers (4-2, 1-0 MIAA) jumped out to an early 10-6 lead. They were able to push the lead to five a few times, but the Mules (4-2, 0-1 MIAA) kept coming back. Central Missouri finally pulled even at 19-19 on a jumper by
Dominique Long and took the lead 21-19 on another Long jumper capping a 7-0 run.
The Tigers regained the lead on a three by Ben Conguista, one of four for him on the night. FHSU pushed the lead back to four before a pair off
Widgett Washington free throws got UCM back to within a pair. The Mules tied the game on the next possession on a layup from Long, but the Tigers came right back to regain the lead with a 4-0 run.
The Mules got to within a pair at 31-29, but Fort Hays State scored six of the next eight points to grab a 37-31 lead.
Charles Hammork nailed a buzzer beater to pull UCM within 37-33 at halftime.
Fort Hays State pushed the lead to eight, 47-39, at the 15:17 mark, but the Mules battled back. Hammork nailed a three to pull within five and
Reggie Stallings drilled one of his career-high six treys to pull the Mules within a pair at 47-45 with 12:44 to play.
After a Dwayne Brunson layup gave FHSU a four-point cushion, Long drilled a triple to pull UCM within one. Stallings hit another three on the next possession to put the Mules in front 51-49 at the 11:13 mark.
The game see-sawed back and forth with the teams trading leads on seemingly every possession. A three from Stallings gave the Mules a 56-54 lead, but back-to-back buckets from Rundell Mauge and a layup from Craig Nicholson gave the Tigers a 60-56 lead with 8:17 to play.
Washington drilled a three and Stallings hit another on the next trip down the court to tie the game at 62-all with 6:35 to play. After a Mauge dunk, Stallings hit a three to put UCM back in front.
Andrew Victoria scored a put back to give FHSU a 66-65 lead before Long hit a pair from the charity stripe to give UCM their final lead of the night at 67-66 with 4:54 to play.
Victoria hit a pair from the foul line to give the Tigers the lead and spark a 9-2 run which gave Fort Hays State a 75-69 lead with 24 seconds left.
After another trey from Stallings cut the lead to three the Mules forced a turnover with 12 seconds left. On the ensuing inbounds the Mules lost control of the ball out of bounds giving it back to the Tigers. Lance Russell hit a pair of free throws after being fouled and the Tigers captured the 77-72 conference-opening win.
The Mules shot 46 percent (25-of-55) from the floor and tied their season high with 11 three-pointers going 11-of-28 from beyond the arc for 39 percent. UCM was 11-of-12 at the free throw line for 92 percent.
Stallings led UCM with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Hammork and Long had 13 points apiece, while
Widgett Washington chipped in 12. Hammork, Long and
Matt Webb each had six rebounds to lead the team.
Fort Hays State was 29-of-59 for 49 percent from the field and 8-of-19 from beyond the arc for 42 percent. The Tigers were 11-of-13 from the free throw line for 85 percent.
Nicholson led three FHSU players in double figures with 22 points and seven assists. Congiusta had 14 and Russell finished with 12.
The Mules had 23 assists to 20 for the Tigers, but UCM committed 17 turnovers leading to 19 FHSU points. The Tigers also out-rebounded the Mules 33-30 and outscored UCM 32-12 in the paint.
The Mules are back in action Saturday afternoon when they host Emporia State at 3:30 p.m. at the UCM Multipurpose Building.
The game can be heard live on the UCM Sports Network with Shawn Jones and Greg Hassler on 1450 KOKO and 98.5 The Bar as well as www.warrensburgradio.com. 90.9 The Bridge will pick up the broadcast at game time. A pay-per-view student-run webcast is also available from the UCM Media Network via AmericaOneSports.com.
