Hays, KS - Missouri Western men's basketball (11-6, 3-4 MIAA) played a competitive first half and held a 44-37 lead with 12:13 left to play, but Fort Hays State (11-4, 4-2 MIAA) ended the game on a 15-3 run and came back to beat the Griffons, 61-50, on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

Missouri Western, just like they did against Hays on Jan. 4 at home, kept pace in a physical, low scoring first half, trailing only 26-24 at the break. The Griffons' best run came to start the second half, going on a 9-3 spree and hitting seven of their first nine shots to go up 44-37 with 12:13 to play.

Fort Hays State called timeout and promptly responded, going on a 9-0 run to lead 45-44 with 10:21 to go. With the game tied at 47-47 and 7:10 to play, Hays started salting things away, going on yet another 9-0 run to lead 55-47 with 3:33 remaining. Zane Nelson hit a three-pointer to bring the margin back to within five, but a Kaleb Hammeke dunk and then a putback bunny in consecutive possessions slammed the door in the final two minutes.

Nelson led Missouri Western with 18 points to go with six rebounds and two steals. Kiani Saxon scored 10 points, going 2-for-2 from three. Julius Dixon chipped in eight points and tied his career-high with 11 rebounds. Missouri Western played without starting guard Zion Swader Thursday, who was present, but in street clothes with an undisclosed injury. Swader had started 48 consecutive games entering the week.

Hammeke, Fort Hays State's all-time leading scorer, finished with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Kyle Grill was close behind with 18 points. Hays shot 8-of-22 (36.4%) from three and 23-of-49 (46.9%) from the field. Missouri Western shot 18-of-47 (38.3%) from the floor, including 6-of-21 (28.6%) from three. The Griffons were 8-of-9 (88.9%) from the free throw line.

Missouri Western outrebounded Hays 32-25, but lost the turnover battle 15-7. Hays scored 20 points off of the giveaways.

Missouri Western is back on the road Saturday to face Nebraska-Kearney (6-8, 4-2 MIAA). Tip-off from the UNK Health and Fitness Center is set for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).