Tigers Fall to Colby at the Buzzer

Fort Hays Tech Northwest Men's Basketball took on the Colby Community College Trojans Wednesday evening, falling 71–70.

Colby struck first, sinking a three from the top of the key. Tech would return the three before a dunk from the Trojans put them ahead 8-3. The game would remain tightly contested as the Tigers remained in full court pressure on defense. The Tigers would tie the game under the 13-minute mark after their defense forced two straight turnovers, giving them second-chance buckets to put them ahead before quickly taking the lead, 13–10. Colby responded by tying the contest and then reclaiming the lead, 17–16, on an and-one tip-in with just under 10 minutes remaining in the half. Tech regained control near the six-minute mark when Riccardo Marzetti knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to put the Tigers ahead 24–22. Both teams continued to trade baskets down the stretch, with Tech holding a narrow 33–31 lead at the final media timeout of the half. The Trojans would take the lead back at the one minute mark, with the Tigers going into halftime trailing 37–35.

Tech opened the second half with another three-pointer from Da'King Smith to retake the lead as both teams settled into their rhythm. The Tigers maintained a slim 42–39 edge at the first media timeout (15:50). Colby briefly moved ahead after converting three free throws, but a lineup change for the Tigers would immediatly move to pressure the ball, with Dayquan Slayton getting this second steal of the game, leading to a Marquintez Dixon layup that ignited a 7–0 run. Bonfas Loria later extended the lead to 57–50 with a three-pointer at the 8:30 mark while a dunk from Dixon pushed the Tigers' advantage into the double digits.

The Trojans refused to go away, trimming the deficit to three as the back-and-forth battle continued. Colby tied the game at 66–66 with a dunk before Loria drilled a corner three with 1:30 remaining to give the Tigers an edge late. Colby answered with a jumper to cut the score to 69–68. After, the Trojans would turnover the ball on a 10-second violation giving the Tigers back control of the ball with less than 30 seconds remaining. Dixon would go to the line and make one free throw to put the score at 70–68 with 12 seconds left. However, Colby connected on a three-pointer in the closing seconds to secure a 71–70 victory.

Statistically, he Tigers did many things well. They won the turnover battle, 14–5, and turned those opportunities into 19 points. Tech also held a 31–24 advantage on the boards. The difference ultimately came down to shooting efficiency. The Tigers finished 25-of-66 from the field, while Colby shot 24-of-55. At the free-throw line, Tech went 10-of-16 compared to the Trojans' 13-of-14 performance.

Men's Basketball will return to action at home on Saturday evening, as they look for their second win over the Coffeyville Red Ravens. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.