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Tiger men see season end
Published on -3/14/2010, 4:43 PM
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cnicholl@dailynews.net
WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Fort Hays State University men's basketball coach Mark Johnson was ejected late in the second half and the Tigers lost 80-73 to University of Central Missouri in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament on
Sunday afternoon at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on the Midwestern State University campus.
The Tigers, the South Central Regional's third seed, trailed Central Missouri, ranked second in the region, 46-34 at halftime. Mule senior forward Sanjay Watts, the regional MVP, had just seven first half points, but Central Missouri hit 10 3s. Fort Hays, helped by a 10-1 run, closed the gap to single figures most of the second half.
With 10:24 left in the contest, Tiger senior forward Tim Peintner, a three-year starter and all-conference player, fouled out.
With 2:50 left in the game, Johnson came out to midcourt to argue a call made under Central Missouri's basket. Johnson received two technical fouls and was ejected.
Fort Hays cut the lead to six points with two minutes left on a pair of free throws from Hassell, but couldn't get any closer. Senior Ryan Herrman, the Tigers' lone five-year player, fouled out with 62 seconds remaining. Senior guard Orrin Greer fouled out in the final seconds.
The Tigers finished the season 23-7, while Central Missouri moved to 27-3. Fort Hays has not reached a Sweet 16 since winning the national title in 1995-96.
For more on this story and the regional tournament, see Monday's Hays Daily News
