Feb. 21 — Hays, Kan. – The Missouri Southern Lions fought back from a ten-point deficit at the ten minute mark of the second half, and had a three point lead with just under three minutes left, but the Fort Hays State Tigers went on a 9-2 run to end the game and defeated Southern, 69-65 today at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

Mariun Price and Skyler Bowlin led Southern (17-11, 7-11 MIAA) with 15 points each with Bowlin adding four rebounds and six assists. DaRell Crittendon, Jason Adams and Matt Monroe all scored nine, while Chris Scruggs scored a career-high eight points and added four rebounds and two blocks.

Tim Peinter had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead Hays (18-7, 11-7 MIAA) in scoring. Tyrone Evans and Corbin Kuntzsch scored 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Southern led 16-12 after a layup from Monroe with 11 minutes left in the first half. A three from Hays’ Evans tied the score at 16 and a dunk from Evans the next time down gave the Tigers an 18-16 lead with 9:22 left. Hays pushed its lead to eight (32-24) at the break.

The Lions trailed by ten (53-43) at the ten minute mark of the second half, but went on a 13-3 run to tie the game at 56 on a jumper from Bowlin with 5:58 left to play. The Lions led 63-60 after a three pointer from Adams with just under three minutes left to play, but the Tigers closed the game on a 9-2 run.

The Lions shot 44 percent from the field and 40 percent from long range, while the Tigers shot 50 percent from the field. Southern outscored Hays 12-7 on second chance baskets and scored 12 points off of turnovers.

Southern will be back in action this Wednesday (Feb. 25) night when the Lions play host to Nebraska-Omaha at 7:30 pm in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Southern fell 74-64 to the Mavericks earlier in the season in Omaha.