After having its 10-game win streak snapped at Nebraska-Kearney on Wednesday night, the 23rd-ranked Fort Hays State men's basketball team looks to get back on track at Emporia State on Saturday (Feb. 8). Game time is set for 5:30 pm at White Auditorium in Emporia. FHSU enters at 18-4 overall, 9-4 MIAA, while Emporia State is 14-9 overall, 7-6 MIAA.
With the loss at Nebraska-Kearney on Wednesday, FHSU slipped from a tie for second to alone in fourth in the MIAA standings. The Tigers are back to just one game clear of Washburn for the best record among teams in the west in the MIAA. Washburn hosts red-hot Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday in Topeka.
Saturday marks the second-to-last road contest left on the schedule for FHSU in the regular season. FHSU will play four of its final five games at home. Washburn is the only remaining opponent on the road on February 19. Saturday marks the start of the second cycle through the teams in the west as FHSU went 5-1 through the first leg. The Tigers are very much in the hunt for the NCAA Tournament, tied with Central Missouri for the best overall record in the MIAA at 18-4. However, the top five teams in the MIAA currently have just five losses or less. The first set of regional rankings will be released on February 19, so FHSU still has two contests before knowing where it stands in the regional picture.
Craig Nicholson is leading the Tigers at 18.0 points and 8.0 assists per game. Nicholson ranked third in the nation in assists per game at the start of the week.
Dwayne Brunson is adding 17.2 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds per game.
Carson Konrade also averages double figures in scoring at 13.7 points per game and ranked third in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at the start of the week.
James Fleming has had a hot hand off the bench lately for FHSU, averaging 12.1 points per game in the last seven contests.
