Missouri Western (3-3, 0-0) at Fort Hays (4-3, 0-1)
Saturday, Dec. 6 - 4 p.m. - Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum
MWSU Game Notes | MWSU Season Stats | MIAA Standings | MIAA Stats
Live Stats | Live Audio | Live VideoST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western Men's Basketball begins the MIAA portion of its schedule with Fort Hays State for the second straight year. The Griffons travel to Hays, Saturday for a 4 p.m. tip.
THE GRIFFONSMissouri Western is 3-3 on the year after snapping a three-game skid earlier this week with a win at home against Hannibal-LaGrange (NAIA), 72-43. The Griffons have won all three of their games at home and have lost all three road games by an average margin of 12 points.
The Griffons average 66.8 points per game and are allowing 66.7. As a team, Missouri Western is shooting 41 percent from the field with opponents shoting 46 percent. From three-point range, the Griffons shoot 29 percent and at the free throw line, MWSU is shooting 63 percent.
Ryan Devers is one of two Griffons averaging double-figures and leads the team with his 11.5 points per game.
Kevin Thomas averages 10.2 per contest and and is the team's leading rebounder, averaging 5.7 per game. Devers leads the team in three-point shots made (15) and three-point percentage (46).
FORT HAYS STATEFort Hays is coming off its first loss since Nov. 15, dropping the Tigers MIAA opener to No. 6 Central Missouri, 71-80. Fort Hays has won four of its last five after dropping the first two games of the year. The Griffons and Tigers share one common opponent with both teams losing to Upper Iowa. Fort Hays lost 86-83 to the Peacocks in Maryville, Missouri to open the season. MWSU fell 82-70 at Upper Iowa earlier this season. Fort Hays leads the all-time series 31-13 but the Griffons hold the last win, knocking off the then No. 15 ranked Tigers, 82-79 in overtime to open the MIAA schedule last season in St. Joseph. The Griffons are 3-16 all-time in Hays.
Coming into Saturday, Fort Hays is averaging 84 points per game and giving up just 68. The team is shooting 49 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 71 percent at the free throw line.
Craig Nicholson leads the team, averaging 16.7 points per game. Dom Samac chips in 9.6 per game and Royce Williams is averaging 9.3 points per game. Overall, five Tigers are averaging at least eight points per game. Williams has sunk 14 three-pointers, the most on the team, while Achoki Moikobu's 50 percent (13-26) three-point percentage leads the team.Jake Stoppel averages 6.7 rebounds per game, the most on the team.
