BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. – Craig Nicholson scored a career-high 29 points and dished out 11 assists, while teammate Carson Konrade poured in 19 points on 7 of 8 shooting to lead Fort Hays State (Kan.) to an 89-72 victory over Southwest Minnesota State at the SMSU Classic on Saturday night. It was the season opener for both teams.

FHSU finished the game connecting on 13 of 18 3-point attempts, including 10 of 13 in the second half, to erase a 36-31 SMSU halftime lead. SMSU finished making just 4 of 23 3-pointers and committed 17 turnovers. The Tigers were picked to win the MIAA and received votes in the preseason Top 25 poll.

William Giddings led SMSU with 16 points on 6 of 12 shooting, while Shaun Condon scored a career-high 15 points, with all 15 coming from the free throw line. Condon finished making 15 of 16 free throws setting an SMSU single-game record for free throws made in a single game. The previous record was 13 set six previous times. Matt Zager (13), Vinard Birch (11) and Nick Smith (10) also all scored in double figures for the Mustangs.

FHSU finished the game shooting 48 percent (28 of 59) from the field and was 20 of 26 from the free throw line. SMSU ended the game shooting 37 percent (21 of 57) from the field and 26 of 32 from the foul line. SMSU held a 42-32 rebound advantage.

The Tigers held the lead for much of the opening half, including holding a pair of six-point leads. FHSU led 24-18 with eight minutes left in half, before SMSU rallied with a 10-2 run to take a 28-26 lead following a jumper from Matt Zager.

SMSU would eventually close the half on an 8-3 run to take a 36-31 halftime advantage. FHSU shot just 36 percent from the field in the opening half, while SMSU shot 41 percent.

The Mustangs took a six-point lead at 38-32 early in the half before the Tigers rallied back and regained the lead at 41-40 at the 16:10 mark.

The two teams were tied at 52 with 11 minutes remaining, but a game-changing 16-6 run by the Tigers made the score 68-58 with 8:13 remaining and FHSU never looked back in earning the victory.

FHSU returns to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. taking on Upper Iowa, while SMSU will face Northwest Missouri State starting at 4 p.m. Northwest Missouri State defeated Upper Iowa 91-78 earlier on Saturday.