Off to their best start since the 2001-02 season, Northwest Missouri State was handed their first loss of the year by 15th-ranked Fort Hays State as the Tigers took an 83-64 decision in MIAA action Saturday at Gross Coliseum.

The Bearcats first loss moves their record to 9-1 on the year and 3-1 in the MIAA. The Tigers also improved to 9-1 and 3-1 in league action and move into a three-way tie atop the league standings with Northwest and Missouri Southern.

The Tigers raced out to an early lead in the first half, leading by as many as 15 points. FHSU would take a 39-25 lead at the break.

Both teams would battle back-and-forth in the second half as the Bearcats slowly chipped away at the Tiger lead pulling with 11 after a DeAngelo Hailey three-pointer made it 61-50 at the 8:33 mark in the second half.

However, from there it would be all Tigers as they extended their lead to as many as 21 points.

Northwest would get out-rebounded by FHSU by 35-24 margin, but it was 14 second-chance points that helped propel the Tigers. Northwest only managed three second-chance points in the loss.

Kyle Haake led Northwest with 17 points, as he knocked down a trio of three-pointers. The Bearcats made 7-of-9 treys in the second half.

Matt Simmons and Moses Dayee led all players with 19 points each for No. 15 Fort Hays.

Northwest will close out the calendar year on Dec. 30 as they travel to Lincoln in MIAA action. Tip from Jefferson City is set for 7 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —