By The Hays Daily News

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Fort Hays State University men's basketball team held off a late charge by Northwest Missouri State University for its second close win in a week against the Bearcats.

Fort Hays won 64-60 after Lance Russell iced the game at the free throw line with less than a second remaining. Northwest Missouri, after trailing by 14 at halftime, had battled back to pull within two and had a chance to cut the lead to one with a little more than one second remaining. The Bearcats Connor Crooker made a shot and was fouled, but missed the free throw attempt, and Russell grabbed the rebound, was fouled and extended the lead.

Russell scored a game-high 22 points, shooting 7 of 14 from the floor for the Tigers, who remain tied atop the MIAA standings at 16-6 overall and 10-4 in conference play. Craig Nicholson scored 21. Northwest Missouri dropped to 15-8 and 8-6 in MIAA play.

Women

Fort Hays 54 NW Missouri 53

The Tiger women extended their win streak to five games, hanging on for a 54-53 win against the Bearcats. Northwest Missouri had a chance to tie the game at the free throw line with one second left, but missed the final attempt.

The Tigers led by as many as nine in the first half after an 8-0 run early, but led by just three at halftime in a tight battle, where free throws were key down the stretch.

With 10 seconds remaining, Kelsie Sorenson grabbed an offensive rebound, and Traci Keyser hit a pair of foul shots to give the Tigers a 3-point edge, and helped them hold on for the win. The Tigers moved to 17-5 overall, 9-5 in MIAA play, clinching a spot in the MIAA postseason tourney. The Tigers still have a chance at a top-four finish and a first-round bye.

Kate Lehman recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with four blocked shots. The win clinched a spot for the Tigers in the MIAA postseason tournament.

Fort Hays, for the second time in a week, will play rival University of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday in Kearney, Neb. Game times are 2 & 4 p.m.

For more on the Tigers, see Friday's HDN.