HAYS -- Fort Hays State is on its first three-game win streak of the season after a 79-72 win over Newman University on Thursday night. The Tigers moved to 10-11 overall and 3-9 in the MIAA, while Newman dropped to 8-15 overall and 2-12 in the MIAA.
The Tigers struggled early and fell down by 11 through the first eight minutes of the game. However, they rallied back with a 12-0 run to take the lead for the first time at 19-18 with 8:37 remaining before the half. The lead grew to seven twice before the Tigers led by six at the break, 38-32.
The Tiger lead grew to eight twice early in the second half, but the Tigers could not push the lead any higher in the second half. Newman used a 10-2 run to take the lead back from the Tigers at the 10:37 mark, 55-54. They would lead once more and tie the game three times before a 6-1 run between 6:02 and 2:47 on the clock gave the Tigers enough breathing room with a 69-64 lead. Nyjee Wright capped the run with a 3-point field goal to push a two-point lead to five.
Up just one with a minute remaining in the game, Wright hit another big 3-point field goal to push the Tiger advantage back to four. Wright kept the Jets at arm's length by hitting all four of his free-throw attempts inside 30 seconds remaining. He finished with a career-high 26 points, while dishing out a team-high four assists. He was 8-of-10 from the field overall, including a 4-of-5 effort beyond the 3-point line, and 6-of-6 at the line.
Aaron Nicholson (15, Devin Davis (13, and Jared Vitztum (12) all reached double figures in scoring as well. Davis was just one rebound shy of a double-double with a team-high nine.
Marshawn Blackmon led the Jets with 21 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double. Teammate Juwan Davenport did record a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. David Javorsky had 15 points off the bench for the Jets.
The Tigers look for a perfect four-game home stand on Saturday when they play host to Central Oklahoma. Game time is at 4 p.m., which follows the women's contest at 2 p.m.