CINCINNATI (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. as No. 11 Kansas pulled away from Cincinnati for a 54-40 victory on Saturday.

The matchup between two of the nation's top defensive teams resulted in a low scoring affair. The Jayhawks held the Bearcats scoreless for more than six minutes in the second half to spark a 14-0 run.

The 40 points are the fewest for the Bearcats in head coach Wes Miller's four seasons.

Zeke Mayo scored eight points for Kansas (12-3, 3-1 Big 12) which has won three straight.

Dillon Mitchell scored 10 points and Arrinten Page and Dan Skillings Jr. each had nine for Cincinnati (10-5, 0-4 Big 12).

Both teams shot under 40% and were a combined 3 of 18 from 3-point range in the first half. The Bearcats led 25-24 at halftime behind eight points from Mitchell.

A Bearcats turnover resulted in a dunk by Moore off a lob from Mayo to put Kansas ahead 46-37 with 3:48 left.

Kansas: The Jayhawks' defense helped them rally again from a halftime deficit to win. They trailed by six points at home to Arizona State then allowed only 13 second-half points in a 74-55 win. They trailed by one at halftime on Saturday then allowed only 15 second-half points to pull away.

Cincinnati: The Bearcats, who've relied heavily on the 3-point shot, averaging 24 attempts per game, are now 16 of 60 (26 percent) from 3-point range in the past three games.

Page missed a dunk that would have made it a one-point game, and Shakeel Moore's layup put Kansas ahead 42-37 with 5:26 left. Kansas would outscore the Bearcats 12-3 from that point on.

Kansas scored 16 points off 12 Bearcats turnovers.

Kansas plays at Iowa State on Wednesday, while Cincinnati plays at Colorado on Wednesday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736630339255.png" alt="Photo Kansas athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>CINCINNATI (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. as No. 11 Kansas pulled away from Cincinnati for a 54-40 victory on Saturday.</p><p>The matchup between two of the nation's top defensive teams resulted in a low scoring affair. The Jayhawks held the Bearcats scoreless for more than six minutes in the second half to spark a 14-0 run.</p><p>The 40 points are the fewest for the Bearcats in head coach Wes Miller's four seasons.</p><p>Zeke Mayo scored eight points for Kansas (12-3, 3-1 Big 12) which has won three straight.</p><p>Dillon Mitchell scored 10 points and Arrinten Page and Dan Skillings Jr. each had nine for Cincinnati (10-5, 0-4 Big 12).</p><p>Both teams shot under 40% and were a combined 3 of 18 from 3-point range in the first half. The Bearcats led 25-24 at halftime behind eight points from Mitchell.</p><p>A Bearcats turnover resulted in a dunk by Moore off a lob from Mayo to put Kansas ahead 46-37 with 3:48 left.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Kansas: The Jayhawks' defense helped them rally again from a halftime deficit to win. They trailed by six points at home to Arizona State then allowed only 13 second-half points in a 74-55 win. They trailed by one at halftime on Saturday then allowed only 15 second-half points to pull away.</p><p>Cincinnati: The Bearcats, who've relied heavily on the 3-point shot, averaging 24 attempts per game, are now 16 of 60 (26 percent) from 3-point range in the past three games.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Page missed a dunk that would have made it a one-point game, and Shakeel Moore's layup put Kansas ahead 42-37 with 5:26 left. Kansas would outscore the Bearcats 12-3 from that point on.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>Kansas scored 16 points off 12 Bearcats turnovers.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Kansas plays at Iowa State on Wednesday, while Cincinnati plays at Colorado on Wednesday.</p>

🏀 Dickinson's 8th double-double lifts KU over Cincinnati

The Fort Hays State men look to start another win streak when they host Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kan.

<p>The Fort Hays State men look to start another win streak when they host Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kan.</p><div><iframe title="FHSU Rewind-MBB vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=pmc84-17a71a2-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: FHSU Rewind-MBB vs. Emporia State

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus discusses the regular season ending loss to the Broncos and how the Chiefs will handle their first round playoff bye.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday at 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.

<p>Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus discusses the regular season ending loss to the Broncos and how the Chiefs will handle their first round playoff bye.</p><p>The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday at 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005994167%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-wZDWbe7Aqq6&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/holthus-hotline-january-11-2025/s-wZDWbe7Aqq6" title="Holthus Hotline (January 11, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline (January 11, 2025)</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus

<b>Saturday, January 11
<br></b>KAYS: Kansas MBKB at
Cincinnati, 11:30am<b></b>

<p><b>Saturday, January 11
<br></b>KAYS: Kansas MBKB at
Cincinnati, 11:30am<b></b></p><p><b>Sunday,
1/12<br></b>none



</p>

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Bill McCartney, who coached Colorado to its only football national championship in 1990, has died. He was 84.

The charismatic figure known as Coach Mac died Friday night “after a courageous journey with dementia,” according to a family statement. His family announced in 2016 that he had been diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's.

“Coach Mac touched countless lives with his unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and enduring legacy as a leader, mentor and advocate for family, community and faith,” the family said in its statement. “As a trailblazer and visionary, his impact was felt both on and off the field, and his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those he inspired.”

McCartney remains the winningest coach in Colorado history, with a record of 93-55-5. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

“I am very saddened at the passing of Coach Mac,” said Colorado athletic director Rick George, who remained lifelong friends with McCartney after he hired George as his recruiting coordinator in 1987. “Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family and being a good husband, father and grandfather. He instilled discipline and accountability to all of us who worked and played under his leadership."

McCartney led Colorado to its best season in 1990, when the team finished 11-1-1 and beat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to clinch the national title. That season included a win at Missouri where the Buffaloes scored the winning touchdown on a “fifth down” as time expired — one of the biggest blunders in college football history.

The chain crew didn’t flip the marker from second to third down and the officials failed to notice. On fourth down — fifth in actuality — Charles Johnson scored to keep Colorado’s national title hopes afloat. Asked later if he would consider forfeiting the game, McCartney pointed to poor field conditions and didn’t think it was a fair test.

McCartney coached at Colorado from 1982-94, retiring early to spend more time with his wife, Lyndi, who died in 2013. Following his retirement, he worked full time at Promise Keepers, a ministry he started in 1990 after converting from Catholicism and whose aim is to encourage “godly men.”

The organization became a flash point in state politics, advocating unsuccessfully that gays be denied the designation of “protected class,” a position by the group that drew campus protests. He left as Promise Keepers’ president in 2003 because of his wife’s health but returned five years later.

As a football coach, McCartney’s impact at Colorado was immense. During a six-year span in the late ’80s and early ’90s, his teams were right up there with the powers of the time. McCartney coached Colorado to three Big Eight titles, 10 consecutive winning seasons in league competition and a 58-29-4 mark in conference play, all still school bests.

His 1989 squad went 11-1 and lost to Notre Dame 21-6 in the Orange Bowl. That set the groundwork for a national championship team that featured quarterbacks Darian Hagan and Charles Johnson, tailback Eric Bieniemy, and a stalwart defense that included Alfred Williams,&nbsp;<a href="https://cubuffs.com/honors/cu-athletic-hall-of-fame/greg-biekert/143">Greg Biekert</a>, Chad Brown and Kanavis McGhee.

“A hall of fame coach but somehow a better man and human being,” Brown&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/chadbrown94/status/1877952879794778560">wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.</a>&nbsp;“Love you Coach!”

Added&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BigAlRadio/status/1877963947032371583">Williams in a post on X:</a>&nbsp;“His legacy is firmly built on love, character, integrity, hope, and faith. I will always thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to have him in my life. Thank you Coach for loving on all of us.”

To think, McCartney nearly chose a basketball coaching career.

Born in Riverview, Michigan, McCartney played center and linebacker at the University of Missouri, where he met his wife. He later coached basketball and football at a high school in Dearborn, Michigan. His teams were good, too, each capturing the state title in 1973.

He caught the eye of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler, who wanted McCartney to join his staff at Michigan. If that weren’t enough, Michigan basketball coach Johnny Orr urged him to join his staff.

McCartney couldn’t decide. His wife gave him some simple advice — follow his heart.

He stepped into the world of college football.

McCartney learned under Schembechler for eight seasons, until an opportunity came up to guide his own team. When the late Chuck Fairbanks left Colorado to become involved with the New Jersey Generals in the upstart United States Football League, McCartney asked Schembechler if the Hall of Fame coach would put in a good word for him.

Schembechler’s backing carried a lot of weight, and then-Colorado athletic director Eddie Crowder gave McCartney the position.

It was a rough start for McCartney with only seven victories in his first three seasons, including a 1-10 finish in 1984. Then things started to turn.

His last season with the Buffaloes was 1994, when the team went 11-1 behind a roster that included Kordell Stewart, Michael Westbrook and the late Rashaan Salaam. That season featured the “Miracle in Michigan,” with Westbrook hauling in a 64-yard TD catch from Stewart on a Hail Mary as time expired in a road win over the Wolverines. Salaam also rushed for 2,055 yards and won the Heisman Trophy.

McCartney also groomed the next wave of coaches, mentoring assistants such as Gary Barnett, Jim Caldwell, Ron Dickerson, Gerry DiNardo, Karl Dorrell, Jon Embree, Les Miles, Rick Neuheisel, Bob Simmons, Lou Tepper, Ron Vanderlinden and John Wristen.

In recent years, McCartney got to watch grandson Derek play defensive line at Colorado. Derek’s father, Shannon Clavelle, was a defensive lineman for Colorado from 1992-94 before playing a few seasons in the NFL. Derek’s brother, T.C. McCartney, was a quarterback at LSU and is the son of late Colorado quarterback Sal Aunese, who played for Bill McCartney in 1987 and ’88 before being diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1989 and dying six months later at 21.

Growing up, Derek McCartney used to go next door to his grandfather’s house to listen to his stories. He never tired of them.

Derek soaked up the tales about Salaam winning the Heisman Trophy and how Colorado beat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to cement the national title. His grandfather had a picture of the famous play at Michigan and a button to push to hear the broadcast audio.

When playing for Colorado, hardly a day would go by when someone didn't ask Derek if he was somehow related to the coach.

“I like when that happens,” Derek said.

<p>BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Bill McCartney, who coached Colorado to its only football national championship in 1990, has died. He was 84.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A legend of the game. A legacy that will live forever. <br><br>Rest in Peace, Coach Mac 🪽<a href="https://t.co/sSXySmmlZb">https://t.co/sSXySmmlZb</a> <a href="https://t.co/RKZqHvIZdl">pic.twitter.com/RKZqHvIZdl</a></p>&mdash; Colorado Buffaloes (@CUBuffs) <a href="https://twitter.com/CUBuffs/status/1877943660479685022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The charismatic figure known as Coach Mac died Friday night “after a courageous journey with dementia,” according to a family statement. His family announced in 2016 that he had been diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's.</p><p>“Coach Mac touched countless lives with his unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and enduring legacy as a leader, mentor and advocate for family, community and faith,” the family said in its statement. “As a trailblazer and visionary, his impact was felt both on and off the field, and his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those he inspired.”</p><p>McCartney remains the winningest coach in Colorado history, with a record of 93-55-5. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.</p><p>“I am very saddened at the passing of Coach Mac,” said Colorado athletic director Rick George, who remained lifelong friends with McCartney after he hired George as his recruiting coordinator in 1987. “Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family and being a good husband, father and grandfather. He instilled discipline and accountability to all of us who worked and played under his leadership."</p><p>McCartney led Colorado to its best season in 1990, when the team finished 11-1-1 and beat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to clinch the national title. That season included a win at Missouri where the Buffaloes scored the winning touchdown on a “fifth down” as time expired — one of the biggest blunders in college football history.</p><p>The chain crew didn’t flip the marker from second to third down and the officials failed to notice. On fourth down — fifth in actuality — Charles Johnson scored to keep Colorado’s national title hopes afloat. Asked later if he would consider forfeiting the game, McCartney pointed to poor field conditions and didn’t think it was a fair test.</p><p>McCartney coached at Colorado from 1982-94, retiring early to spend more time with his wife, Lyndi, who died in 2013. Following his retirement, he worked full time at Promise Keepers, a ministry he started in 1990 after converting from Catholicism and whose aim is to encourage “godly men.”</p><p>The organization became a flash point in state politics, advocating unsuccessfully that gays be denied the designation of “protected class,” a position by the group that drew campus protests. He left as Promise Keepers’ president in 2003 because of his wife’s health but returned five years later.</p><p>As a football coach, McCartney’s impact at Colorado was immense. During a six-year span in the late ’80s and early ’90s, his teams were right up there with the powers of the time. McCartney coached Colorado to three Big Eight titles, 10 consecutive winning seasons in league competition and a 58-29-4 mark in conference play, all still school bests.</p><p>His 1989 squad went 11-1 and lost to Notre Dame 21-6 in the Orange Bowl. That set the groundwork for a national championship team that featured quarterbacks Darian Hagan and Charles Johnson, tailback Eric Bieniemy, and a stalwart defense that included Alfred Williams,&nbsp;<a href="https://cubuffs.com/honors/cu-athletic-hall-of-fame/greg-biekert/143">Greg Biekert</a>, Chad Brown and Kanavis McGhee.</p><p>“A hall of fame coach but somehow a better man and human being,” Brown&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/chadbrown94/status/1877952879794778560">wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.</a>&nbsp;“Love you Coach!”</p><p>Added&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BigAlRadio/status/1877963947032371583">Williams in a post on X:</a>&nbsp;“His legacy is firmly built on love, character, integrity, hope, and faith. I will always thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to have him in my life. Thank you Coach for loving on all of us.”</p><p>To think, McCartney nearly chose a basketball coaching career.</p><p>Born in Riverview, Michigan, McCartney played center and linebacker at the University of Missouri, where he met his wife. He later coached basketball and football at a high school in Dearborn, Michigan. His teams were good, too, each capturing the state title in 1973.</p><p>He caught the eye of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler, who wanted McCartney to join his staff at Michigan. If that weren’t enough, Michigan basketball coach Johnny Orr urged him to join his staff.</p><p>McCartney couldn’t decide. His wife gave him some simple advice — follow his heart.</p><p>He stepped into the world of college football.</p><p>McCartney learned under Schembechler for eight seasons, until an opportunity came up to guide his own team. When the late Chuck Fairbanks left Colorado to become involved with the New Jersey Generals in the upstart United States Football League, McCartney asked Schembechler if the Hall of Fame coach would put in a good word for him.</p><p>Schembechler’s backing carried a lot of weight, and then-Colorado athletic director Eddie Crowder gave McCartney the position.</p><p>It was a rough start for McCartney with only seven victories in his first three seasons, including a 1-10 finish in 1984. Then things started to turn.</p><p>His last season with the Buffaloes was 1994, when the team went 11-1 behind a roster that included Kordell Stewart, Michael Westbrook and the late Rashaan Salaam. That season featured the “Miracle in Michigan,” with Westbrook hauling in a 64-yard TD catch from Stewart on a Hail Mary as time expired in a road win over the Wolverines. Salaam also rushed for 2,055 yards and won the Heisman Trophy.</p><p>McCartney also groomed the next wave of coaches, mentoring assistants such as Gary Barnett, Jim Caldwell, Ron Dickerson, Gerry DiNardo, Karl Dorrell, Jon Embree, Les Miles, Rick Neuheisel, Bob Simmons, Lou Tepper, Ron Vanderlinden and John Wristen.</p><p>In recent years, McCartney got to watch grandson Derek play defensive line at Colorado. Derek’s father, Shannon Clavelle, was a defensive lineman for Colorado from 1992-94 before playing a few seasons in the NFL. Derek’s brother, T.C. McCartney, was a quarterback at LSU and is the son of late Colorado quarterback Sal Aunese, who played for Bill McCartney in 1987 and ’88 before being diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1989 and dying six months later at 21.</p><p>Growing up, Derek McCartney used to go next door to his grandfather’s house to listen to his stories. He never tired of them.</p><p>Derek soaked up the tales about Salaam winning the Heisman Trophy and how Colorado beat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to cement the national title. His grandfather had a picture of the famous play at Michigan and a button to push to hear the broadcast audio.</p><p>When playing for Colorado, hardly a day would go by when someone didn't ask Derek if he was somehow related to the coach.</p><p>“I like when that happens,” Derek said.</p>

Bill McCartney, who coached Colorado to its only football national championship has died

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jack Sawyer had the kind of moment that will live on long past his playing days with Ohio State. Of course, one more victory would make it that much sweeter.

Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers — his former roommate — and returned the fumble 83 yards for the clinching touchdown in a 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, giving the Buckeyes a shot at their sixth AP national title.

“We talked before the game about how do you leave a legacy is to become your old legend. And there’s some guys on this team today that I believe will become legends in Ohio State history,” coach Ryan Day said. “Now they get 10 more days together, and an opportunity to tell their story if they go win one more.”

Led by Ohio native Sawyer and Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two touchdowns, the Buckeyes (13-2) posted the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions when the College Football Playoff debuted with a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the first season with an expanded 12-team field.

Ohio State plays Orange Bowl champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cfp-notre-dame-ohio-state-texas-276477d7ff38e93a3625632d515f189b">Notre Dame</a>&nbsp;in Atlanta on Jan. 20. It could be quite a finish for the Big Ten Buckeyes after they lost to rival Michigan on Nov. 30.

Sawyer got to Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball loose before scooping it up and lumbering all the way to the other end zone with 2:13 left. It was the longest fumble return in CFP history.

“I saw the ball pop out right to me after I tackled him, I was just thinking, I’ve got to stay on my feet, because I almost blacked out when I scooped it and saw a bunch of green grass ahead of me,” Sawyer said.

Ewers and Sawyer were roommates in Columbus for one semester before the quarterback transferred home to Texas. Ewers helped lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals, but next season will be their 20th since winning their last national title with Vince Young in 2005.

“I felt him. I started drifting away, thought I was going to be able to get the ball off before he got there,” Ewers said. “I saw Jack running with the ball down the sideline. ... Jack’s a good player made a great play.”

Texas had moved to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone, before Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss. Ewers then threw a third-down incompletion while being pressured by Sawyer on the play before the defensive touchdown.

“He’s everything that we possibly ask for in a captain,” Day said. “To make a play like that in that moment ... He just became a legend at Ohio State.”

Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, had a 1-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left, capping an 88-yard, 13-play drive over 7:45. That score came four plays after quarterback Will Howard converted a fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that probably should have been a score.

“That fourth down was huge. ... I fell on purpose. I'm joking,” Howard said. “A statement drive. We needed that.”

Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He played his first game at AT&amp;T Stadium since leading Kansas State to a win over undefeated TCU in the Big 12 championship two years ago. He was 0-3 as a starter against the Longhorns while at K-State, including an overtime thriller in Austin last season.

Ewers finished 23 of 39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball back one final time. It might have been his last play for the Longhorns since he could go into the NFL draft.

Texas won the Big 12 title last season before moving to the SEC.

The Buckeyes went ahead on their opening drive of the game when Judkins scored on a 9-yard run. It looked as if they could get off to another fast start, after jumping ahead 21-0 and 34-0 in their first two playoff games.

But Ohio State then punted on four consecutive possessions before Texas tied it at 7 on Ewers' 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue with 29 seconds left in the first half. Arch Manning, the backup and future starting quarterback, kept that drive alive when he converted fourth-and-1 from midfield with an 8-yard keeper — his only play in the game.

Right after Texas' first TD, Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson turned a screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown, following a wall of blockers before shooting through an open gap and sprinting to the end zone.

Blue had a tying 26-yard TD catch with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a terrific play by Ewers, who was being dragged down by Sawyer on third-and-10 when he managed to scoop the ball underhanded to Wisner for a 13-yard gain.

While Ohio State prepares for the CFP title game, Texas waits for a rematch with the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in the previously scheduled 2025 season opener Aug. 30.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736575503289.jpeg" alt="Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, top, runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, bottom, during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)" />
                        <figcaption>Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, top, runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, bottom, during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jack Sawyer had the kind of moment that will live on long past his playing days with Ohio State. Of course, one more victory would make it that much sweeter.</p><p>Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers — his former roommate — and returned the fumble 83 yards for the clinching touchdown in a 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, giving the Buckeyes a shot at their sixth AP national title.</p><p>“We talked before the game about how do you leave a legacy is to become your old legend. And there’s some guys on this team today that I believe will become legends in Ohio State history,” coach Ryan Day said. “Now they get 10 more days together, and an opportunity to tell their story if they go win one more.”</p><p>Led by Ohio native Sawyer and Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two touchdowns, the Buckeyes (13-2) posted the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions when the College Football Playoff debuted with a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the first season with an expanded 12-team field.</p><p>Ohio State plays Orange Bowl champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cfp-notre-dame-ohio-state-texas-276477d7ff38e93a3625632d515f189b">Notre Dame</a>&nbsp;in Atlanta on Jan. 20. It could be quite a finish for the Big Ten Buckeyes after they lost to rival Michigan on Nov. 30.</p><p>Sawyer got to Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball loose before scooping it up and lumbering all the way to the other end zone with 2:13 left. It was the longest fumble return in CFP history.</p><p>“I saw the ball pop out right to me after I tackled him, I was just thinking, I’ve got to stay on my feet, because I almost blacked out when I scooped it and saw a bunch of green grass ahead of me,” Sawyer said.</p><p>Ewers and Sawyer were roommates in Columbus for one semester before the quarterback transferred home to Texas. Ewers helped lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals, but next season will be their 20th since winning their last national title with Vince Young in 2005.</p><p>“I felt him. I started drifting away, thought I was going to be able to get the ball off before he got there,” Ewers said. “I saw Jack running with the ball down the sideline. ... Jack’s a good player made a great play.”</p><p>Texas had moved to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone, before Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss. Ewers then threw a third-down incompletion while being pressured by Sawyer on the play before the defensive touchdown.</p><p>“He’s everything that we possibly ask for in a captain,” Day said. “To make a play like that in that moment ... He just became a legend at Ohio State.”</p><p>Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, had a 1-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left, capping an 88-yard, 13-play drive over 7:45. That score came four plays after quarterback Will Howard converted a fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that probably should have been a score.</p><p>“That fourth down was huge. ... I fell on purpose. I'm joking,” Howard said. “A statement drive. We needed that.”</p><p>Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He played his first game at AT&amp;T Stadium since leading Kansas State to a win over undefeated TCU in the Big 12 championship two years ago. He was 0-3 as a starter against the Longhorns while at K-State, including an overtime thriller in Austin last season.</p><p>Ewers finished 23 of 39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball back one final time. It might have been his last play for the Longhorns since he could go into the NFL draft.</p><p>Texas won the Big 12 title last season before moving to the SEC.</p><h2>Not so fast</h2><p>The Buckeyes went ahead on their opening drive of the game when Judkins scored on a 9-yard run. It looked as if they could get off to another fast start, after jumping ahead 21-0 and 34-0 in their first two playoff games.</p><p>But Ohio State then punted on four consecutive possessions before Texas tied it at 7 on Ewers' 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue with 29 seconds left in the first half. Arch Manning, the backup and future starting quarterback, kept that drive alive when he converted fourth-and-1 from midfield with an 8-yard keeper — his only play in the game.</p><p>Right after Texas' first TD, Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson turned a screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown, following a wall of blockers before shooting through an open gap and sprinting to the end zone.</p><h2>A great escape</h2><p>Blue had a tying 26-yard TD catch with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a terrific play by Ewers, who was being dragged down by Sawyer on third-and-10 when he managed to scoop the ball underhanded to Wisner for a 13-yard gain.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>While Ohio State prepares for the CFP title game, Texas waits for a rematch with the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in the previously scheduled 2025 season opener Aug. 30.</p><p>___</p><p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a></p>

🏈 Ohio State gets shot at 6th national title after win over Texas in CFP semi Cotton Bowl

HAYS, Kan. - Due to poor road conditions and more winter weather in the forecast over the weekend in Colorado, the Fort Hays State men's wrestling team has adjusted its schedule for this weekend. Instead of competing at the Western Colorado Open and the Tracy Borah Duals in Gunnison, Colo., the Tigers will now head to Hastings, Neb. for the Hastings Open.

Fort Hays State has sent redshirts and reserves to this event each of the last two years, but this is the first time the Tigers will send a full team to Hastings since January 2011 when they came home with two championships (133 - Aldon Isenberg, 285 - Justin Glenn) and six placers. The Tigers had a pair of placers at last year's event, with Jaxson Thomas&nbsp;finishing third at 285 pounds and Connor Padgett&nbsp;placing fourth at 174 pounds while Ryan Patterson&nbsp;finished fourth at 197 pounds in 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736526528005.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>FHSU Athletics</i></p><p>HAYS, Kan. - Due to poor road conditions and more winter weather in the forecast over the weekend in Colorado, the Fort Hays State men's wrestling team has adjusted its schedule for this weekend. Instead of competing at the Western Colorado Open and the Tracy Borah Duals in Gunnison, Colo., the Tigers will now head to Hastings, Neb. for the Hastings Open.</p><p>Fort Hays State has sent redshirts and reserves to this event each of the last two years, but this is the first time the Tigers will send a full team to Hastings since January 2011 when they came home with two championships (133 - Aldon Isenberg, 285 - Justin Glenn) and six placers. The Tigers had a pair of placers at last year's event, with Jaxson Thomas&nbsp;finishing third at 285 pounds and Connor Padgett&nbsp;placing fourth at 174 pounds while Ryan Patterson&nbsp;finished fourth at 197 pounds in 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

🤼‍♂️ FHSU men adjust weekend schedule

The 7th-ranked Fort Hays State women look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

<p>The 7th-ranked Fort Hays State women look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Gross Memorial Coliseum.</p><div><iframe title="FHSU Rewind-WBB vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ufc2t-17a7170-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: FHSU Rewind-WBB vs. Emporia State

Hays High and TMP-Marian will have to wait a little longer to begin the 2025 portion of their basketball schedule. Their games scheduled for Friday night have been postponed to due to snowfall in eastern and southern Kansas.

The Indians were to travel to Emporia. Their games with the Spartans have been moved to this Tuesday.

No makeup date has been announced for the Monarchs who were to play Sacred Heart in Salina.

<p><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Hays High and TMP-Marian will have to wait a little longer to begin the 2025 portion of their basketball schedule. Their games scheduled for Friday night have been postponed to due to snowfall in eastern and southern Kansas.</p><p>The Indians were to travel to Emporia. Their games with the Spartans have been moved to this Tuesday.</p><p>No makeup date has been announced for the Monarchs who were to play Sacred Heart in Salina.</p>

🏀 HHS, TMP Friday games postponed

<b>Friday, January 10
<br></b>KKQY: Smith Center
MWBKB at Ellis, 5:15 *
<br>KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Emporia, 5:40pm
<br>KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB at Salina Sacred Heart, 5:40pm

<p><b>Friday, January 10
<br></b>KKQY: Smith Center
MWBKB at Ellis, 5:15 *
<br>KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Emporia, 5:40pm
<br>KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB at Salina Sacred Heart, 5:40pm</p><p><b>Saturday, January 11
<br></b>KAYS: Kansas MBKB at
Cincinnati, 11:30am<b></b></p><p><b>Sunday,
1/12<br></b>none



</p>

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said he was trying to throw the ball into the ground. Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray dove for it anyway and — luck of the Irish — the ball ended up right in his hands.

A few seconds later, Gray and Notre Dame found themselves with a spot in the national title game after a thrill-a-minute 27-24 victory Thursday night in the Orange Bowl.

Gray's snag of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drew-allar-penn-state-cfp-orange-bowl-3cb58be7733cc04cd3888c23ab831695">Allar's ill-advised pass</a>&nbsp;across the middle at the Penn State 42 with 33 seconds left, set up a 19-yard drive that ended with Mitch Jeter's winning 41-yard field goal.

The Irish (14-1), seeded seventh in this, the first 12-team college playoff, will have a chance to bring their 12th title and first since 1988 back under the Golden Dome with a game Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Their opponent will be the winner Friday night of the Texas-Ohio State semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.

“Just catch the ball. Just catch the ball,” Gray said about his interception. “That was going through my mind and I knew I was going to make a play.”

Penn State QB was trying to throw it away

Allar explained he saw his first two options covered on the play, then wanted to throw the ball into the dirt. But the throw, under pressure and across his body, didn't have enough zip on it to reach either receiver Omari Evans or the ground before Gray slid in.

“Honestly, I was trying to ‘dirt’ it at his feet,” said the junior quarterback. “I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two progressions were not open. I didn’t execute.”

It was the most memorable play of a game that was the best of what's been a sleepy few weeks of playoff football. It featured three ties and three lead changes, along with 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.

In the final, Irish coach Marcus Freeman will try to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-coaches-franklin-freeman-playoff-522b80d7553d3494889f9b0e8da5539a">the first Black coach to win the title at college</a>&nbsp;football’s highest level. Freeman, whose mother is South Korean, also is the first coach of Asian heritage to get this far.

“We found a way to make a play when it mattered the most,” Freeman said. “In my opinion, great teams, great programs, find a way to do that.”

Penn State coach James Franklin fell to 4-20 with the Nittany Lions against teams ranked in the AP Top 10. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions ended the season at 13-3.

“Everyone wants to look at a specific play,” Franklin said. “But there's probably eight to 12 plays in that game that could have made a difference. I'm not going to call out specific plays or specific players. There are a ton of plays where we could have done better.”

Hit on Leonard shook up the QB and shook up the Irish

Notre Dame quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-riley-leonard-4fb493f918fcf60876e38e42b9134b00">Riley Leonard shook off a hit</a>&nbsp;late in the second quarter that sent him to the medical tent to be checked for a concussion. He came back and led the Irish on four scoring drives in the second half, including the last one.

“He’s a competitor and competitors find a way to win, and that’s what Riley does," Freeman said. "That’s what this team does.”

Leonard finished with 223 yards passing, including a key 10-yard dart to Jaden Greathouse to convert third-and-3 on the last drive. Leonard also had 35 yards rushing, and passed and ran for a score each.

With 4:38 left in the game, the senior quarterback hit Greathouse for a 54-yard score to tie it at 24 after a defender slipped.

The game started slow (and boring), but Riley’s injury injected life into things. He led Notre Dame on TD drives of 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter to take a 17-10 lead.

At that point, the fun was just getting started.

Penn State had its chances, and Allar, considered a first-round pick by some if he leaves for the NFL, will spend the offseason reliving that last throw — or trying to forget it.

Penn State forced a Notre Dame punt and looked assured of at least going to overtime when they took over at their 15 with 47 seconds left.

After a gain of 13, Allar dropped to pass and had pressure coming. He threw across his body to the middle of the field, where Gray dove for the pick.

A review showed it was a catch, and the Irish were onto the next step on a road that looked all but impossible when they fell 16-14 to Northern Illinois back in September.

“To see how far we’ve come after the hiccup early on, just to know that we have one more guaranteed, one last one guaranteed, it’s just so exciting,” Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser said.

Nick Singleton ran for 84 yards and all three Penn State touchdowns. Off target for much of the day, Allar finished 12 for 23 for 135 yards with the interception.

“He's hurting right now. He should be. We're all hurting,” Franklin said.

The quarterback didn't duck questions about the play or his role in the loss.

“We didn’t win the game so it wasn't good enough, it’s plain and simple,” Allar said. “I’ll try to learn from it, do everything in my power to get better and just grow from it.”

When Leonard went out, backup Steve Angeli came in and injected life into the Fighting Irish offense on the way to its first score.

Angelli went 6 for 7 for 44 yards and moved Notre Dame to field goal range to trim its deficit to 10-3 just before halftime.

“We have a lot of confidence in Steve,” Freeman said when asked why he allowed the Irish to play aggressively when he entered.

The kickoff temperature was 56 degrees, unseasonably cool for South Florida — and making it the second-coldest Orange Bowl ever, next to the Georgia Tech-Iowa game in 2010 that started at 49 and felt like the upper 30s.

Notre Dame will face either Ohio State or Texas in the CFP national championship game on Jan. 20. Penn State opens its 2025 season at home against Nevada on Aug. 30.

<p>MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said he was trying to throw the ball into the ground. Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray dove for it anyway and — luck of the Irish — the ball ended up right in his hands.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TEAM GLORY ☘️<br><br>ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/CbqnL8fYTG">pic.twitter.com/CbqnL8fYTG</a></p>&mdash; Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1877584129094484314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONS<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/V6Q4YLQA5h">pic.twitter.com/V6Q4YLQA5h</a></p>&mdash; Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1877570838897029277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>A few seconds later, Gray and Notre Dame found themselves with a spot in the national title game after a thrill-a-minute 27-24 victory Thursday night in the Orange Bowl.</p><p>Gray's snag of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drew-allar-penn-state-cfp-orange-bowl-3cb58be7733cc04cd3888c23ab831695">Allar's ill-advised pass</a>&nbsp;across the middle at the Penn State 42 with 33 seconds left, set up a 19-yard drive that ended with Mitch Jeter's winning 41-yard field goal.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GOOD FROM 4️⃣1️⃣<br><br>MITCH JETER IS CLUTCH.<br><br>MR. JANUARY. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/W3HO408OHQ">pic.twitter.com/W3HO408OHQ</a></p>&mdash; Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1877569954662293539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Irish (14-1), seeded seventh in this, the first 12-team college playoff, will have a chance to bring their 12th title and first since 1988 back under the Golden Dome with a game Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Their opponent will be the winner Friday night of the Texas-Ohio State semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.</p><p>“Just catch the ball. Just catch the ball,” Gray said about his interception. “That was going through my mind and I knew I was going to make a play.”</p><h2>Penn State QB was trying to throw it away</h2><p>Allar explained he saw his first two options covered on the play, then wanted to throw the ball into the dirt. But the throw, under pressure and across his body, didn't have enough zip on it to reach either receiver Omari Evans or the ground before Gray slid in.</p><p>“Honestly, I was trying to ‘dirt’ it at his feet,” said the junior quarterback. “I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two progressions were not open. I didn’t execute.”</p><p>It was the most memorable play of a game that was the best of what's been a sleepy few weeks of playoff football. It featured three ties and three lead changes, along with 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.</p><p>In the final, Irish coach Marcus Freeman will try to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-coaches-franklin-freeman-playoff-522b80d7553d3494889f9b0e8da5539a">the first Black coach to win the title at college</a>&nbsp;football’s highest level. Freeman, whose mother is South Korean, also is the first coach of Asian heritage to get this far.</p><p>“We found a way to make a play when it mattered the most,” Freeman said. “In my opinion, great teams, great programs, find a way to do that.”</p><p>Penn State coach James Franklin fell to 4-20 with the Nittany Lions against teams ranked in the AP Top 10. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions ended the season at 13-3.</p><p>“Everyone wants to look at a specific play,” Franklin said. “But there's probably eight to 12 plays in that game that could have made a difference. I'm not going to call out specific plays or specific players. There are a ton of plays where we could have done better.”</p><h2>Hit on Leonard shook up the QB and shook up the Irish</h2><p>Notre Dame quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-riley-leonard-4fb493f918fcf60876e38e42b9134b00">Riley Leonard shook off a hit</a>&nbsp;late in the second quarter that sent him to the medical tent to be checked for a concussion. He came back and led the Irish on four scoring drives in the second half, including the last one.</p><p>“He’s a competitor and competitors find a way to win, and that’s what Riley does," Freeman said. "That’s what this team does.”</p><p>Leonard finished with 223 yards passing, including a key 10-yard dart to Jaden Greathouse to convert third-and-3 on the last drive. Leonard also had 35 yards rushing, and passed and ran for a score each.</p><p>With 4:38 left in the game, the senior quarterback hit Greathouse for a 54-yard score to tie it at 24 after a defender slipped.</p><p>The game started slow (and boring), but Riley’s injury injected life into things. He led Notre Dame on TD drives of 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter to take a 17-10 lead.</p><p>At that point, the fun was just getting started.</p><p>Penn State had its chances, and Allar, considered a first-round pick by some if he leaves for the NFL, will spend the offseason reliving that last throw — or trying to forget it.</p><p>Penn State forced a Notre Dame punt and looked assured of at least going to overtime when they took over at their 15 with 47 seconds left.</p><p>After a gain of 13, Allar dropped to pass and had pressure coming. He threw across his body to the middle of the field, where Gray dove for the pick.</p><p>A review showed it was a catch, and the Irish were onto the next step on a road that looked all but impossible when they fell 16-14 to Northern Illinois back in September.</p><p>“To see how far we’ve come after the hiccup early on, just to know that we have one more guaranteed, one last one guaranteed, it’s just so exciting,” Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser said.</p><p>Nick Singleton ran for 84 yards and all three Penn State touchdowns. Off target for much of the day, Allar finished 12 for 23 for 135 yards with the interception.</p><p>“He's hurting right now. He should be. We're all hurting,” Franklin said.</p><p>The quarterback didn't duck questions about the play or his role in the loss.</p><p>“We didn’t win the game so it wasn't good enough, it’s plain and simple,” Allar said. “I’ll try to learn from it, do everything in my power to get better and just grow from it.”</p><h2>Cameo from Notre Dame's backup</h2><p>When Leonard went out, backup Steve Angeli came in and injected life into the Fighting Irish offense on the way to its first score.</p><p>Angelli went 6 for 7 for 44 yards and moved Notre Dame to field goal range to trim its deficit to 10-3 just before halftime.</p><p>“We have a lot of confidence in Steve,” Freeman said when asked why he allowed the Irish to play aggressively when he entered.</p><h2>Chilly Orange Bowl</h2><p>The kickoff temperature was 56 degrees, unseasonably cool for South Florida — and making it the second-coldest Orange Bowl ever, next to the Georgia Tech-Iowa game in 2010 that started at 49 and felt like the upper 30s.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Notre Dame will face either Ohio State or Texas in the CFP national championship game on Jan. 20. Penn State opens its 2025 season at home against Nevada on Aug. 30.</p>

🏈 Notre Dame gets late field goal to make title game with win over Penn State

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State moved to 10-4 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA with another outstanding defensive effort, defeating Emporia State by a score of 69-44 on Thursday night (Jan. 9) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. With his sixth and final basket of the game in the first half, Kaleb Hammeke became the all-time leading scorer at Fort Hays State, now with 1,767 points.

The Tigers led from start to finish, scoring the first four points of the contest and opened the game on a 15-4 run. Hammeke needed 12 points to reach the all-time scoring record and he got there fast, scoring 12 of the team's first 19 points of the game. Hammeke's driving layup at 9:10 on the clock in the first half pushed him past Alonzo Goldston (1,766 pts.) for the all-time record, which he looks to extend further the remainder of the season. The Tigers went on to stretch their lead as large as 23 points in the first half (38-15) before leading 38-17 at the break.

The Tigers went into cruise control the rest of the way, never allowing the Hornets back inside of a 20-point margin. The lead reached its largest of 28 points three times before the final margin was 25.Fort Hays State finished at 50 percent from the field for the game (29-of-58). The Tigers held the Hornets to just 34.7 percent shooting from the field, including a 22.2 percent effort beyond the 3-point line. FHSU led the turnover battle 13-9 and led in points off turnovers 16-5. FHSU scored 40 of its 69 points in the paint and saw more than half of its scoring from the bench.

Dan Makuna&nbsp;set a new career high in scoring, leading the Tigers with 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting effort from the field. He was 1-of-2 at the free-throw line. Mukuna scored 14 of the 16 in the second half. Hammeke finished with his 12 points to claim the scoring record, while also pulling down a season-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. He added a team-high five assists. Kyle Grill&nbsp;also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points.

Malik Edwards was the only ESU player to reach double figures in scoring with 10 points. The Hornets received 63.6 percent of their scoring from their bench. The most any of their starters had was five points by Parker Day.

For Fort Hays State, it was the third-straight opponent held inside of 50 points after allowing just 39 at Northwest Missouri State and 47 at Missouri Western. The Tigers accomplished the feat twice last year, holding Central Christian (44), Manhattan Christian (46), and Northeastern State (43) inside 50 from November 21-30 and then Northwest Missouri State (49), Missouri Western (49), and Bethel (48) inside 50 from December 7-13.

Fort Hays State held Emporia State to its lowest amount of points in a game since February 8, 2017, when ESU lost at Northwest Missouri State 65-43. The Tigers won their fourth-straight game overall against the Hornets and also held ESU to its fewest points in the 195-game series history since a 66-44 win back on January 28, 2015 in Emporia.

The Tigers will have a full week off before hosting Missouri Western on Thursday (Jan. 16) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers will be looking to avenge last week's 47-44 loss in St. Joseph to the Griffons in the second meeting between the schools this season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736484446242.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>FHSU Athletics</i></p><p>HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State moved to 10-4 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA with another outstanding defensive effort, defeating Emporia State by a score of 69-44 on Thursday night (Jan. 9) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. With his sixth and final basket of the game in the first half, Kaleb Hammeke became the all-time leading scorer at Fort Hays State, now with 1,767 points.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005658091&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/coach-mark-johnon-postgame" title="Coach Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Coach Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)</a></div></div><p>The Tigers led from start to finish, scoring the first four points of the contest and opened the game on a 15-4 run. Hammeke needed 12 points to reach the all-time scoring record and he got there fast, scoring 12 of the team's first 19 points of the game. Hammeke's driving layup at 9:10 on the clock in the first half pushed him past Alonzo Goldston (1,766 pts.) for the all-time record, which he looks to extend further the remainder of the season. The Tigers went on to stretch their lead as large as 23 points in the first half (38-15) before leading 38-17 at the break.</p><p>The Tigers went into cruise control the rest of the way, never allowing the Hornets back inside of a 20-point margin. The lead reached its largest of 28 points three times before the final margin was 25.Fort Hays State finished at 50 percent from the field for the game (29-of-58). The Tigers held the Hornets to just 34.7 percent shooting from the field, including a 22.2 percent effort beyond the 3-point line. FHSU led the turnover battle 13-9 and led in points off turnovers 16-5. FHSU scored 40 of its 69 points in the paint and saw more than half of its scoring from the bench.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005659663&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/kaleb-hammeke-postgame" title="Kaleb Hammeke Postgame vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kaleb Hammeke Postgame vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)</a></div></div><p>Dan Makuna&nbsp;set a new career high in scoring, leading the Tigers with 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting effort from the field. He was 1-of-2 at the free-throw line. Mukuna scored 14 of the 16 in the second half. Hammeke finished with his 12 points to claim the scoring record, while also pulling down a season-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. He added a team-high five assists. Kyle Grill&nbsp;also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736484641844.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Kaleb Hammeke (5) shoots the ball in an NCAA college basketball game against Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 in Hays, Kan. Hammeke made the shot and became FHSU's all-time scoring leader. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
                        <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Kaleb Hammeke (5) shoots the ball in an NCAA college basketball game against Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 in Hays, Kan. Hammeke made the shot and became FHSU's all-time scoring leader. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Malik Edwards was the only ESU player to reach double figures in scoring with 10 points. The Hornets received 63.6 percent of their scoring from their bench. The most any of their starters had was five points by Parker Day.</p><p>For Fort Hays State, it was the third-straight opponent held inside of 50 points after allowing just 39 at Northwest Missouri State and 47 at Missouri Western. The Tigers accomplished the feat twice last year, holding Central Christian (44), Manhattan Christian (46), and Northeastern State (43) inside 50 from November 21-30 and then Northwest Missouri State (49), Missouri Western (49), and Bethel (48) inside 50 from December 7-13.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005657403&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-highlights-vs-emporia-state-jan-9th-25" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)</a></div></div><p>Fort Hays State held Emporia State to its lowest amount of points in a game since February 8, 2017, when ESU lost at Northwest Missouri State 65-43. The Tigers won their fourth-straight game overall against the Hornets and also held ESU to its fewest points in the 195-game series history since a 66-44 win back on January 28, 2015 in Emporia.</p><p>UP NEXT</p><p>The Tigers will have a full week off before hosting Missouri Western on Thursday (Jan. 16) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers will be looking to avenge last week's 47-44 loss in St. Joseph to the Griffons in the second meeting between the schools this season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

🏀 Hammeke breaks FHSU scoring record in Tigers win over Hornets

LARNED - The TMP-Marian boys placed wrestlers in the top-four and the girls' had one at the Larned Round Robin Thursday.

Kenneth Walker went 3-0, winning by fall in all three matches to finish first at 285. Jackson Gillespie went 3-2 and placed third at 157 while Layne Dorzweiler and Eli Stein both finish fourth.

Molly Helget placed fourth to lead the TMP-Marian girls.

Layne Dorzweiler (3-8) placed 4th and scored 8.0 team points.

Henry Stiles (0-11) placed 5th and scored 0.0 team points.

Caleb Marintzer (5-6) placed 6th and scored 1.0 team points.

Jackson Gillespie (3-2) placed 3rd and scored 11.0 team points.

Eli Stein (8-6) placed 4th and scored 12.0 team points.

Kenneth Walker (7-6) placed 1st and scored 20.0 team points.

Mia Lee (3-10) placed 6th and scored 4.0 team points.

Molly Helget (11-5) placed 4th and scored 10.0 team points.

Geralyn Stein (5-4) placed 5th and scored 6.0 team points.

<p>Hays Post</p><p>LARNED - The TMP-Marian boys placed wrestlers in the top-four and the girls' had one at the Larned Round Robin Thursday.</p><p>Kenneth Walker went 3-0, winning by fall in all three matches to finish first at 285. Jackson Gillespie went 3-2 and placed third at 157 while Layne Dorzweiler and Eli Stein both finish fourth.</p><p>Molly Helget placed fourth to lead the TMP-Marian girls.</p><p>TMP-Marian boys results</p><h2>106</h2><p>Layne Dorzweiler (3-8) placed 4th and scored 8.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Layne Dorzweiler (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 won by fall over Christian Schultze (Osborne HS) 3-11 (Fall 1:15)</li><li>Round 2 - Xzander Donner (Russell HS) 17-1 won by fall over Layne Dorzweiler (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (Fall 2:47)</li><li>Round 3 - Jayce Feril (Stafford HS/Langdon-Fairfield HS/St. John-Hudson HS) 10-7 won by tech fall over Layne Dorzweiler (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (TF-1.5 4:00 (17-2))</li><li>Round 4 - Konner Mills (Larned) 15-2 won by fall over Layne Dorzweiler (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (Fall 0:24)</li><li>Round 5 - Layne Dorzweiler (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 won by fall over Max Henderson (Larned) 0-5 (Fall 0:15)</li>
                    </ul><h2>144</h2><p>Henry Stiles (0-11) placed 5th and scored 0.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Jax Johnson (Larned) 2-10 won by fall over Henry Stiles (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:29)</li><li>Round 2 - Tate Balthazor (Hill City HS) 17-6 won by fall over Henry Stiles (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 1:52)</li><li>Round 3 - Remey Perez (Lakin HS) 7-10 won by fall over Henry Stiles (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:27)</li><li>Round 4 - Adam Hayes (Ellinwood HS) 5-7 won by fall over Henry Stiles (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 1:04)</li>
                    </ul><h2>150</h2><p>Caleb Marintzer (5-6) placed 6th and scored 1.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Caleb Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-6 won by major decision over Ethan Morgenstern (Russell HS) 0-10 (MD 11-1)</li><li>Round 2 - Mikel Wilder (Larned) 4-4 won by fall over Caleb Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-6 (Fall 1:16)</li><li>Round 3 - Javid Corral (Holcomb) 11-6 won by medical forfeit over Caleb Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-6 (M. For.)</li><li>Quarterfinal - Lane Schwab (Stafford HS/Langdon-Fairfield HS/St. John-Hudson HS) 4-10 won by medical forfeit over Caleb Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-6 (M. For.)</li><li>Cons. Semi - Caleb Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-6 received a bye () (Bye)</li><li>5th Place Match - Levi Lippelman (Lakin HS) 4-13 won by forfeit over Caleb Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-6 (For.)</li>
                    </ul><h2>157</h2><p>Jackson Gillespie (3-2) placed 3rd and scored 11.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Jaxson Smith (Hill City HS) 21-2 won by fall over Jackson Gillespie (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-2 (Fall 1:39)</li><li>Round 2 - Jackson Gillespie (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-2 won by decision over Camden Bergkamp (Lakin HS) 6-10 (Dec 8-4)</li><li>Round 3 - Kaiden Schultze (Osborne HS) 10-4 won by fall over Jackson Gillespie (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-2 (Fall 0:30)</li><li>Round 4 - Jackson Gillespie (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-2 won by fall over Mattias Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (Fall 0:47)</li><li>Round 5 - Jackson Gillespie (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-2 won by fall over Craig Collins (Holcomb) 1-12 (Fall 0:46)</li>
                    </ul><h2>157</h2><p>Mattias Marintzer (3-8) placed 5th.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Mattias Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 won by fall over Craig Collins (Holcomb) 1-12 (Fall 5:49)</li><li>Round 2 - Kaiden Schultze (Osborne HS) 10-4 won by fall over Mattias Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (Fall 1:56)</li><li>Round 3 - Jaxson Smith (Hill City HS) 21-2 won by fall over Mattias Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (Fall 0:13)</li><li>Round 4 - Jackson Gillespie (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-2 won by fall over Mattias Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (Fall 0:47)</li><li>Round 5 - Camden Bergkamp (Lakin HS) 6-10 won by tech fall over Mattias Marintzer (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-8 (TF-1.5 4:45 (19-3))</li>
                    </ul><h2>165</h2><p>Eli Stein (8-6) placed 4th and scored 12.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Eli Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 8-6 won by fall over Weston Loeppke (Lakin HS) 4-8 (Fall 2:00)</li><li>Round 2 - Eli Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 8-6 won by fall over James Garetto (Larned) 1-5 (Fall 1:30)</li><li>Round 3 - Archer Amrein (Hill City HS) 19-4 won by tech fall over Eli Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 8-6 (TF-1.5 5:53 (20-2))</li><li>Quarterfinal - Eli Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 8-6 won by fall over Damon van Venrooy (Stafford HS/Langdon-Fairfield HS/St. John-Hudson HS) 2-8 (Fall 1:34)</li><li>Semifinal - Teagen Pfeifer (Russell HS) 15-2 won by fall over Eli Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 8-6 (Fall 1:11)</li><li>3rd Place Match - Gabe Martinez (Ellinwood HS) 11-5 won by decision over Eli Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 8-6 (Dec 13-10)</li>
                    </ul><h2>165</h2><p>James Dickman (0-11) placed 8th.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Teagen Pfeifer (Russell HS) 15-2 won by fall over James Dickman (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:08)</li><li>Round 2 - Gabe Martinez (Ellinwood HS) 11-5 won by fall over James Dickman (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:56)</li><li>Round 3 - Damon van Venrooy (Stafford HS/Langdon-Fairfield HS/St. John-Hudson HS) 2-8 won by fall over James Dickman (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:45)</li><li>Quarterfinal - Archer Amrein (Hill City HS) 19-4 won by fall over James Dickman (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:28)</li><li>Cons. Semi - Weston Loeppke (Lakin HS) 4-8 won by fall over James Dickman (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:27)</li><li>7th Place Match - Damon van Venrooy (Stafford HS/Langdon-Fairfield HS/St. John-Hudson HS) 2-8 won by fall over James Dickman (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 0-11 (Fall 0:35)</li>
                    </ul><h2>285</h2><p>Kenneth Walker (7-6) placed 1st and scored 20.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Kenneth Walker (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 7-6 won by fall over Joseph Wilder (Larned) 7-7 (Fall 2:16)</li><li>Round 2 - Kenneth Walker (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 7-6 won by fall over Nick Miller (Ellinwood HS) 8-5 (Fall 4:58)</li><li>Round 3 - Kenneth Walker (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 7-6 won by fall over Brandon Wolfley (Greensburg-Kiowa County HS) 0-3 (Fall 0:50)</li>
                    </ul><p>TMP-Marian girls' results</p><h2>110</h2><p>Mia Lee (3-10) placed 6th and scored 4.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Mia Lee (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-10 won by medical forfeit over Sarah Christian (Hill City HS) 14-6 (M. For.)</li><li>Round 2 - Luna Vazquez (Lakin HS) 14-6 won by fall over Mia Lee (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-10 (Fall 2:16)</li><li>Round 3 - Mia Lee (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-10 won by fall over Lilly McAlister (Stafford HS/Langdon-Fairfield HS/St. John-Hudson HS) 1-13 (Fall 1:39)</li><li>Round 4 - America Perez (Holcomb) 5-9 won by fall over Mia Lee (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-10 (Fall 4:33)</li><li>Round 6 - AaLeyah Becker (Plainville HS) 14-6 won by fall over Mia Lee (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 3-10 (Fall 0:21)</li>
                    </ul><h2>120</h2><p>Molly Helget (11-5) placed 4th and scored 10.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Molly Helget (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 11-5 won by major decision over Leila Stone (Russell HS) 4-10 (MD 14-4)</li><li>Round 2 - Molly Helget (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 11-5 won by fall over Mia Montes (Holcomb) 1-8 (Fall 3:47)</li><li>Round 3 - Molly Helget (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 11-5 won by decision over Lizzy Reazin (Lyons HS) 12-9 (Dec 12-5)</li><li>Quarterfinal - Molly Helget (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 11-5 won by major decision over Kyrsten Young (Lyons HS) 5-13 (MD 10-0)</li><li>Semifinal - Annie Kendig (Osborne HS) 10-7 won in sudden victory - 1 over Molly Helget (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 11-5 (SV-1 4-1)</li><li>3rd Place Match - Leila Stone (Russell HS) 4-10 won by decision over Molly Helget (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 11-5 (Dec 5-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>130</h2><p>Geralyn Stein (5-4) placed 5th and scored 6.0 team points.</p><ul>
                        <li>Round 1 - Geralyn Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-4 won by fall over Marah Kuhn (Lyons HS) 3-13 (Fall 0:43)</li><li>Round 2 - Geralyn Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-4 won by fall over Allyson Simmons (Larned) 1-4 (Fall 1:07)</li><li>Round 3 - Miley Roth (Lakin HS) 5-5 won by fall over Geralyn Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-4 (Fall 3:01)</li><li>Round 5 - Averie Counts (Russell HS) 18-3 won by fall over Geralyn Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-4 (Fall 1:20)</li><li>5th Place Match - Geralyn Stein (Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS) 5-4 won by fall over Jenaveve Franco (Ellinwood HS) 6-7 (Fall 5:58)</li>
                    </ul>

🤼‍♂️ Monarchs place five in the top four of Larned Round Robin

HAYS, Kan. - The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team returned to the win column on Thursday, defeating Emporia State 87-65. The win is the Tigers' fifth-straight win over the Lady Hornets, their longest winning streak over ESU in series history.

Junior guard Brooke Loewe&nbsp;distributed 13 assists in the blowout win, tying the FHSU program record for assists in a single game (Shanell Watson at Rockhurst 1/28/03, Robin Greene vs. Pittsburg State 2/20/1981).

The Tigers improve to 13-1 on the year and 4-1 in MIAA play, while the Lady Hornets dip to 7-7 overall and 2-3 in league action. The win is FHSU's eighth win by 20 or more points this season and its third win over a league rival by at least 20 points.

Emporia State took control early, scoring the first five points before the Tiger offense came alive two minutes into the contest. FHSU outscored the visitors 27-12 over that stretch, knocking down 56.3 percent from the floor to race in front by 10, 29-19. Sophomore Talexa Weeter and graduate student Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;had things rolling in the opening frame, with Weeter totaling 12 points and Hollenbeck adding eight.

Two more baskets from Weeter early in the second quarter put the Tigers up by 12 before the Lady Hornets stormed back, using a 12-1 run over the next five minutes to close within one, 34-33. Ellie Stearns&nbsp;stopped the bleeding with a basket before the Hornets scored the next four, taking a one-point lead with 10 seconds to go before halftime on a Gracie Gilpin 3-pointer.After ending the first quarter with a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, Weeter hit a layup with one second on the clock to give the Tigers a 38-37 lead at the break.

The second half was all Fort Hays State, with the Tigers outscoring ESU 49-28 over the final 20 minutes of action. FHSU hit 60 percent from the floor after halftime, including a 75-percent shooting effort in the fourth quarter (12-of-16) to put the game on ice.

Emporia State kept things close until early in the fourth quarter, with the Lady Hornets trailing by just five with 7:42 left in the final frame. The Tigers then hit 10-of-13 down the stretch while holding the Hornets to just 3-of-15 shooting, leading to a 25-8 FHSU run to close the contest.

Hollenbeck led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting while adding three blocks and two steals on the defensive end. Weeter chipped in 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, giving the Goodland, Kan. native her second double-double of the season.

Katie DeGarmo&nbsp;added 14 points, while Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;added 12 and Ellie Stearns&nbsp;contributed 10 to give FHSU five players in double figures for a third time this season.

Fort Hays State knocked down 47.0 percent from the floor in the game (31-of-66) while limiting the Lady Hornets to a shooting percentage of 31.5 percent (23-of-73). The Tigers outrebounded ESU by seven, 47-40, while Tigers outscored the Lady Hornets 22-6 in transition and 46-26 in the paint.

The Tigers will return to action in one week when they look to avenge their only loss of the season as they host Missouri Western on January 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736483634599.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Brooke Loewe (5) passes the ball in an NCAA college basketball game against Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
                        <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Brooke Loewe (5) passes the ball in an NCAA college basketball game against Emporia State on Thursday, January 9, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>FHSU Athletics</i></p><p>HAYS, Kan. - The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team returned to the win column on Thursday, defeating Emporia State 87-65. The win is the Tigers' fifth-straight win over the Lady Hornets, their longest winning streak over ESU in series history.</p><p>Junior guard Brooke Loewe&nbsp;distributed 13 assists in the blowout win, tying the FHSU program record for assists in a single game (Shanell Watson at Rockhurst 1/28/03, Robin Greene vs. Pittsburg State 2/20/1981).</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005658351&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/coach-talia-khars-postgame" title="Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)</a></div></div><p>The Tigers improve to 13-1 on the year and 4-1 in MIAA play, while the Lady Hornets dip to 7-7 overall and 2-3 in league action. The win is FHSU's eighth win by 20 or more points this season and its third win over a league rival by at least 20 points.</p><p>Emporia State took control early, scoring the first five points before the Tiger offense came alive two minutes into the contest. FHSU outscored the visitors 27-12 over that stretch, knocking down 56.3 percent from the floor to race in front by 10, 29-19. Sophomore Talexa Weeter and graduate student Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;had things rolling in the opening frame, with Weeter totaling 12 points and Hollenbeck adding eight.</p><p>Two more baskets from Weeter early in the second quarter put the Tigers up by 12 before the Lady Hornets stormed back, using a 12-1 run over the next five minutes to close within one, 34-33. Ellie Stearns&nbsp;stopped the bleeding with a basket before the Hornets scored the next four, taking a one-point lead with 10 seconds to go before halftime on a Gracie Gilpin 3-pointer.After ending the first quarter with a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, Weeter hit a layup with one second on the clock to give the Tigers a 38-37 lead at the break.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005659903&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/kate-dilsaver-postgame-vs" title="Kate Dilsaver Postgame vs Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kate Dilsaver Postgame vs Emporia State (January 9, 2025)</a></div></div><p>The second half was all Fort Hays State, with the Tigers outscoring ESU 49-28 over the final 20 minutes of action. FHSU hit 60 percent from the floor after halftime, including a 75-percent shooting effort in the fourth quarter (12-of-16) to put the game on ice.</p><p>Emporia State kept things close until early in the fourth quarter, with the Lady Hornets trailing by just five with 7:42 left in the final frame. The Tigers then hit 10-of-13 down the stretch while holding the Hornets to just 3-of-15 shooting, leading to a 25-8 FHSU run to close the contest.</p><p>Hollenbeck led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting while adding three blocks and two steals on the defensive end. Weeter chipped in 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, giving the Goodland, Kan. native her second double-double of the season.</p><p>Katie DeGarmo&nbsp;added 14 points, while Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;added 12 and Ellie Stearns&nbsp;contributed 10 to give FHSU five players in double figures for a third time this season.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2005657155&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-highlights-vs-emporia-state-jan-9th-25" title="#7 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#7 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. Emporia State (January 9, 2025)</a></div></div><p>Fort Hays State knocked down 47.0 percent from the floor in the game (31-of-66) while limiting the Lady Hornets to a shooting percentage of 31.5 percent (23-of-73). The Tigers outrebounded ESU by seven, 47-40, while Tigers outscored the Lady Hornets 22-6 in transition and 46-26 in the paint.</p><p>UP NEXT</p><p>The Tigers will return to action in one week when they look to avenge their only loss of the season as they host Missouri Western on January 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

🏀 Loewe's school-record 13 assists help No. 7 Tigers top Emporia State

<b>Emporia State (4-9, 1-3 MIAA) <br>at Fort Hays State (9-4, 2-2 MIAA)</b><br>Thursday, January 9 • 7:30 p.m.<br>Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum<br><b>Game Sponsor:</b>&nbsp;Buff Car Wash<br><b>National Anthem:</b>&nbsp;Colby High School<br><b>Promotions:&nbsp;</b>Senior Citizen Day ($5 GA tickets for ages 55 and older) / Ohiole Dibua Street Twirler Performance at Halftime

<b>Radio:</b>&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a><br><b>Video:</b>&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Fort Hays State returns to action at home on Thursday night, hosting in-state rival Emporia State at 7:30 p.m. It is the start of a three-game homestand for FHSU with a pair of games at home ahead the following week. Fort Hays State is receiving votes in the NABC national poll and enters at 9-4 overall, 2-2 in the MIAA, while Emporia State is 4-9 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA.

This will be the first of two meetings in the regular season with Emporia State this year. The Tigers and Hornets are meeting twice in the regular season for the first time since 2019-20 after meeting once each of the last four seasons. FHSU has met Emporia State more times than any other opponent in program history and this will be the 195th&nbsp;meeting between the schools. FHSU holds a 107-87 advantage in the all-time series.

Fort Hays State won the last three meetings in the series going back to the 2021-22 season. The first two wins of the streak were in Emporia, including one in overtime, and FHSU won last year's meeting in Hays 67-62. Looking beyond the last three, FHSU has won nine of the last 11 in the series history and both Emporia State wins were by three points or less.

Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;on the verge of becoming the all-time scoring leader in FHSU history, now just 11 points shy of Alonzo Goldston's record of 1,766 points. In the last contest against Missouri Western back on Saturday, Hammeke became the fourth player in program history to reach 500 career assists. He became the only player in program history with 1,700 points and 500 assists. Hammeke is one of only two active NCAA Division II players with at least 1,700 points and 500 assists, joining Sam Rolle IV of Davis &amp; Elkins College (W.Va.) who has 2,116 points and 610 assists.

Hammeke leads the Tigers in scoring and assists. He averages 15.1 points and 4.8 assists per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kyle-grill/8223">Kyle Grill</a>&nbsp;(11.7) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/shaun-riley/8227">Shaun Riley</a>&nbsp;(10.9) also average double figures in scoring. Riley leads the Tigers in rebounding at 6.7 per game. Grill is tied with Hammeke for the most 3-point field goals made on the team, each with 22.Fort Hays State had a five-game win streak snapped this past Saturday at Missouri Western, falling 47-44 in a tight defensive battle. The Tigers have held five of their last six opponents to less than 60 points and held both opponents in their most recent road swing under 50 points. Washburn (71) and Concordia-St. Paul (82) are the only teams the Tigers did not hold inside of 70 so far this season.

Fort Hays State currently owns the third-best scoring defense in NCAA Division II at 59.7 points per game. The Tigers led the nation in the category last year when they finished at 57.9 points per game allowed. FHSU is holding opponents to just 38.2 percent shooting overall, which ranks seventh nationally. FHSU has also done well at ball security, averaging just 9.5 turnovers per game, which ranks fifth nationally. The Tigers have been efficient shooting beyond the 3-point line this year with a 40.4 percent success rate, which ranks seventh nationally.

Emporia State enters this contest on a three-game slide, which includes a non-conference loss to Rockhurst before falling at home to Central Missouri and Washburn. ESU's last win was back on December 17 against Sterling College. The Hornets' lone MIAA win was a 74-72 result at Missouri Western back on December 7. Malik Edwards Jr. leads the Hornets in scoring at 13.3 points per game. The Hornets are in their first year under head coach Tom Billeter, who coached at Augustana University (S.D.) for 21 years from 2003-2024 and North Dakota State for five years from 1992-97.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736371785457.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>FHSU Athletics</i></p><p><b>Emporia State (4-9, 1-3 MIAA) <br>at Fort Hays State (9-4, 2-2 MIAA)</b><br>Thursday, January 9 • 7:30 p.m.<br>Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum<br><b>Game Sponsor:</b>&nbsp;Buff Car Wash<br><b>National Anthem:</b>&nbsp;Colby High School<br><b>Promotions:&nbsp;</b>Senior Citizen Day ($5 GA tickets for ages 55 and older) / Ohiole Dibua Street Twirler Performance at Halftime</p><p><b>Radio:</b>&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a><br><b>Video:</b>&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a></p><p>Fort Hays State returns to action at home on Thursday night, hosting in-state rival Emporia State at 7:30 p.m. It is the start of a three-game homestand for FHSU with a pair of games at home ahead the following week. Fort Hays State is receiving votes in the NABC national poll and enters at 9-4 overall, 2-2 in the MIAA, while Emporia State is 4-9 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA.</p><p>This will be the first of two meetings in the regular season with Emporia State this year. The Tigers and Hornets are meeting twice in the regular season for the first time since 2019-20 after meeting once each of the last four seasons. FHSU has met Emporia State more times than any other opponent in program history and this will be the 195th&nbsp;meeting between the schools. FHSU holds a 107-87 advantage in the all-time series.</p><p>Fort Hays State won the last three meetings in the series going back to the 2021-22 season. The first two wins of the streak were in Emporia, including one in overtime, and FHSU won last year's meeting in Hays 67-62. Looking beyond the last three, FHSU has won nine of the last 11 in the series history and both Emporia State wins were by three points or less.</p><p>Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;on the verge of becoming the all-time scoring leader in FHSU history, now just 11 points shy of Alonzo Goldston's record of 1,766 points. In the last contest against Missouri Western back on Saturday, Hammeke became the fourth player in program history to reach 500 career assists. He became the only player in program history with 1,700 points and 500 assists. Hammeke is one of only two active NCAA Division II players with at least 1,700 points and 500 assists, joining Sam Rolle IV of Davis &amp; Elkins College (W.Va.) who has 2,116 points and 610 assists.</p><p>Hammeke leads the Tigers in scoring and assists. He averages 15.1 points and 4.8 assists per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kyle-grill/8223">Kyle Grill</a>&nbsp;(11.7) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/shaun-riley/8227">Shaun Riley</a>&nbsp;(10.9) also average double figures in scoring. Riley leads the Tigers in rebounding at 6.7 per game. Grill is tied with Hammeke for the most 3-point field goals made on the team, each with 22.Fort Hays State had a five-game win streak snapped this past Saturday at Missouri Western, falling 47-44 in a tight defensive battle. The Tigers have held five of their last six opponents to less than 60 points and held both opponents in their most recent road swing under 50 points. Washburn (71) and Concordia-St. Paul (82) are the only teams the Tigers did not hold inside of 70 so far this season.</p><p>Fort Hays State currently owns the third-best scoring defense in NCAA Division II at 59.7 points per game. The Tigers led the nation in the category last year when they finished at 57.9 points per game allowed. FHSU is holding opponents to just 38.2 percent shooting overall, which ranks seventh nationally. FHSU has also done well at ball security, averaging just 9.5 turnovers per game, which ranks fifth nationally. The Tigers have been efficient shooting beyond the 3-point line this year with a 40.4 percent success rate, which ranks seventh nationally.</p><p>Emporia State enters this contest on a three-game slide, which includes a non-conference loss to Rockhurst before falling at home to Central Missouri and Washburn. ESU's last win was back on December 17 against Sterling College. The Hornets' lone MIAA win was a 74-72 result at Missouri Western back on December 7. Malik Edwards Jr. leads the Hornets in scoring at 13.3 points per game. The Hornets are in their first year under head coach Tom Billeter, who coached at Augustana University (S.D.) for 21 years from 2003-2024 and North Dakota State for five years from 1992-97.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

🏀🎧 LISTEN: Tigers face Hornets to begin 3-game homestand Thursday

<b>#7/#14 Fort Hays State (12-1, 3-1 MIAA)<br>vs. Emporia State (7-6, 2-2 MIAA)</b><br>Thursday, January 9, 2025 • 5:30 p.m.<br>Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum<br><b>Game Sponsor:</b>&nbsp;Buff Car Wash<br><b>National Anthem:</b>&nbsp;Colby High School Choir<br><b>Promotions:</b>&nbsp;Fans 55+ can purchase a general admission ticket for only $5

<b>Radio:</b>&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>|<br><b>Video:</b>&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens a three-game homestand Thursday when the Tigers host in-state rival Emporia State beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Tigers (12-1, 3-1 MIAA) will look to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season last Saturday, falling 67-66 at Missouri Western. Emporia State (7-6, 2-2) is also coming off a loss in its most recent contest, losing 64-61 at home against Washburn.

The Tigers average 19.2 assists per game, second-most in Division II. FHSU also ranks in the top 10 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.32, fifth), field goal percentage defense (33.5 percent, sixth), scoring margin (plus-20.2, sixth), defensive rebounds per game (30.6, eighth) and winning percentage (92.3 percent, eighth).

Brooke Loewe&nbsp;dished out 12 assists on Saturday against Missouri Western, one off the program's single-game record and two behind this year's DII single-game leader. The junior is averaging 6.6 assists per contest, tops in the MIAA and fourth-best in Division II.

The Tigers have won seven straight games on January 9, with the last loss coming 21 years ago at Fort Lewis in 2004 (84-64).

Fort Hays State has more wins without a loss (12) as the seventh-ranked team in the country than any other spot in the poll. Next-closest is No. 11 where they are 7-0.

The Tigers have trailed for 43:17 in 525 minutes of action (8.2 percent) across 13 games this season. FHSU hasn't trailed by more than five points and hasn't trailed for more than 13:20 in a single game.

Katie DeGarmo&nbsp;moved into second on the all-time scoring list at FHSU last Saturday, now with 1,933 career points to pass Kate Lehman. DeGarmo is also second on the all-time rebounding list with 1,060 career rebounds, just 49 boards behind Lehman.

DeGarmo saves some of her best games for the Lady Hornets, with the graduate student averaging a double-double in five career matchups with ESU. She averages 15.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in those games, scoring in double figures all five times, scoring at least 20 points once and recording four double-doubles.

Megan Earney&nbsp;also averages in double figures when playing ESU, putting up 10.3 points per night in three contests after scoring 20 points in the most recent meeting on six made 3-pointers.

Olivia Hollenbeck has scored 1,619 points in her career as a Tiger, just 38 points away from moving into the top five on FHSU's all-time scoring list. The graduate student is leading the Tigers with an average of 16.7 points per game, fourth-most in the conference. She also leads the conference with 2.6 steals per night and ranks third with an average of 1.6 blocks per contest.

Emporia State leads the all-time series with the Tigers, 52-39. The Tigers hold a slim margin in home games, however, leading 23-20 in games played in Hays. The Tigers have dominated the series of late, winning each of the last four games, which is tied for its longest winning streak in series history, and eight of the last 11 meetings. FHSU has won seven of eight at home against the Lady Hornets over the last 10 seasons. The Tigers are 11-19 against Emporia State in regular season MIAA contests, making the Lady Hornets one of two teams (PSU 16-14) that holds a winning record against the Tigers in MIAA league games.

Emporia State heads to Hays with an overall record of 7-6, including a 2-2 mark in league action. The Lady Hornets are 1-2 in true road games this season. ESU had a three-game winning streak snapped in its most recent outing, a narrow 64-61 home loss to Washburn. The Lady Hornets rank third in the MIAA with an average of 7.4 made 3-pointers per game. They rank last in the league and 266th out of 290 DII programs in scoring defense, allowing 73.7 points per night. Katie Horyna ranks second in the conference with a team-best 17.4 points per game.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736369597674.png" alt="<br>" />
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                    </figure><p><i>FHSU Athletics</i></p><p><b>#7/#14 Fort Hays State (12-1, 3-1 MIAA)<br>vs. Emporia State (7-6, 2-2 MIAA)</b><br>Thursday, January 9, 2025 • 5:30 p.m.<br>Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum<br><b>Game Sponsor:</b>&nbsp;Buff Car Wash<br><b>National Anthem:</b>&nbsp;Colby High School Choir<br><b>Promotions:</b>&nbsp;Fans 55+ can purchase a general admission ticket for only $5</p><p><b>Radio:</b>&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>|<br><b>Video:</b>&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a></p><p>The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens a three-game homestand Thursday when the Tigers host in-state rival Emporia State beginning at 5:30 p.m.</p><p>The Tigers (12-1, 3-1 MIAA) will look to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season last Saturday, falling 67-66 at Missouri Western. Emporia State (7-6, 2-2) is also coming off a loss in its most recent contest, losing 64-61 at home against Washburn.</p><p>The Tigers average 19.2 assists per game, second-most in Division II. FHSU also ranks in the top 10 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.32, fifth), field goal percentage defense (33.5 percent, sixth), scoring margin (plus-20.2, sixth), defensive rebounds per game (30.6, eighth) and winning percentage (92.3 percent, eighth).</p><p>Brooke Loewe&nbsp;dished out 12 assists on Saturday against Missouri Western, one off the program's single-game record and two behind this year's DII single-game leader. The junior is averaging 6.6 assists per contest, tops in the MIAA and fourth-best in Division II.</p><p>The Tigers have won seven straight games on January 9, with the last loss coming 21 years ago at Fort Lewis in 2004 (84-64).</p><p>Fort Hays State has more wins without a loss (12) as the seventh-ranked team in the country than any other spot in the poll. Next-closest is No. 11 where they are 7-0.</p><p>The Tigers have trailed for 43:17 in 525 minutes of action (8.2 percent) across 13 games this season. FHSU hasn't trailed by more than five points and hasn't trailed for more than 13:20 in a single game.</p><p>Katie DeGarmo&nbsp;moved into second on the all-time scoring list at FHSU last Saturday, now with 1,933 career points to pass Kate Lehman. DeGarmo is also second on the all-time rebounding list with 1,060 career rebounds, just 49 boards behind Lehman.</p><p>DeGarmo saves some of her best games for the Lady Hornets, with the graduate student averaging a double-double in five career matchups with ESU. She averages 15.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in those games, scoring in double figures all five times, scoring at least 20 points once and recording four double-doubles.</p><p>Megan Earney&nbsp;also averages in double figures when playing ESU, putting up 10.3 points per night in three contests after scoring 20 points in the most recent meeting on six made 3-pointers.</p><p>Olivia Hollenbeck has scored 1,619 points in her career as a Tiger, just 38 points away from moving into the top five on FHSU's all-time scoring list. The graduate student is leading the Tigers with an average of 16.7 points per game, fourth-most in the conference. She also leads the conference with 2.6 steals per night and ranks third with an average of 1.6 blocks per contest.</p><p>Emporia State leads the all-time series with the Tigers, 52-39. The Tigers hold a slim margin in home games, however, leading 23-20 in games played in Hays. The Tigers have dominated the series of late, winning each of the last four games, which is tied for its longest winning streak in series history, and eight of the last 11 meetings. FHSU has won seven of eight at home against the Lady Hornets over the last 10 seasons. The Tigers are 11-19 against Emporia State in regular season MIAA contests, making the Lady Hornets one of two teams (PSU 16-14) that holds a winning record against the Tigers in MIAA league games.</p><p>Emporia State heads to Hays with an overall record of 7-6, including a 2-2 mark in league action. The Lady Hornets are 1-2 in true road games this season. ESU had a three-game winning streak snapped in its most recent outing, a narrow 64-61 home loss to Washburn. The Lady Hornets rank third in the MIAA with an average of 7.4 made 3-pointers per game. They rank last in the league and 266th out of 290 DII programs in scoring defense, allowing 73.7 points per night. Katie Horyna ranks second in the conference with a team-best 17.4 points per game.</p>

🏀🎧 LISTEN: #7 FHSU women host Lady Hornets Thursday

<b>Thursday, January 9
<br></b>KJLS: Fort Hays State
WMBKB vs. Emporia State, 5:05pm<b></b>

<p><b>Thursday, January 9
<br></b>KJLS: Fort Hays State
WMBKB vs. Emporia State, 5:05pm<b></b></p><p><b>Friday, January 10
<br></b>KKQY: Smith Center
MWBKB at Ellis, 5:15 *
<br>KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Emporia, 5:40pm
<br>KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB at Salina Sacred Heart, 5:40pm</p><p><b>Saturday, January 11
<br></b>KAYS: Kansas MBKB at
Cincinnati, 11:30am<b></b></p><p><b>Sunday,
1/12<br></b>none



</p>

Fort Hays State men's basketball tries for a sixth-straight win when they play Missouri Western on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo.

<p>Fort Hays State men's basketball tries for a sixth-straight win when they play Missouri Western on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo.</p><div><iframe title="FHSU Rewind-MBB at Missouri Western State" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ne3ib-17a1bbe-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: FHSU Rewind-MBB at Missouri Western State

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 23 points and No. 11 Kansas held Arizona State to 13 in the second half of a 74-55 victory Wednesday night.

Hunter Dickinson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Jayhawks (11-3, 2-1 Big 12), who started the second period with a 20-3 spurt that turned a six-point deficit into an 11-point lead at the second media timeout.

Kansas outscored the Sun Devils 38-13 after halftime.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736396111839.png" alt="Kansas athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 23 points and No. 11 Kansas held Arizona State to 13 in the second half of a 74-55 victory Wednesday night.</p><p>Hunter Dickinson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Jayhawks (11-3, 2-1 Big 12), who started the second period with a 20-3 spurt that turned a six-point deficit into an 11-point lead at the second media timeout.</p><p>Kansas outscored the Sun Devils 38-13 after halftime.</p><p>Arizona State (10-4, 1-2) didn't score its 10th point of the half until 3:09 remained. ASU was led by Alston Mason with 19 points. BJ Freeman had 10, and Jayden Quaintance added nine points and 11 rebounds.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Arizona State: The Sun Devils clearly missed co-leading scorer Joson Sanon and his 13.5 points per game. Down a player, and with Freeman picking up his fourth foul with 12:32 left, they had trouble handling Kansas’ press for most of the second half.</p><p>Kansas: The Jayhawks lost their previous home game to West Virginia, but haven’t dropped consecutive home games since losing four straight in 1988-89 as part of a seven-game losing streak in Roy Williams’ first season as coach.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Kansas trailed 42-36 at halftime, but Dickinson took a pass from Dajuan Harris and threw down a thunderous dunk over Quaintance to tie the score early in the second half. Quaintance picked up the foul and Dickinson’s free throw gave Kansas its first lead since the 8:24 mark of the first half. It was part of an 11-0 run to start the period.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>Arizona State, which shot 46.7% in the first half, including 5 of 13 from 3-point territory, shot just 21.7% in the second half, including 1 of 11 from long range.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Arizona State returns home Saturday to face Baylor, while Kansas visits Cincinnati.</p>

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