Men's Basketball Fall Short Against Dodge City

Fort Hays Tech Northwest Men's Basketball fell to Dodge City Community College on Wednesday in a tightly contested 68–67 battle.

Tech opened the game flat, as Dodge City raced out to a 9–0 lead before a three-pointer from Matija Otasevic put the Tigers on the board. The Conquistadors responded quickly and held a 14–8 advantage at the first media timeout. Tech battled back, with Marquintez Dixon tying the game at 18–18 just under the 10-minute mark. However, Dodge answered with back-to-back buckets to regain control. Tech would battle back with Daquan Slayton putting the Tigers within three, 23-20, with under eight in the half. However, a dunk by Dodge's Rickey Loftin looked to stall Tech's momentum. Dodge City stretched its lead to 33–22 with 4:30 left in the half before Tech chipped away late, entering the break trailing 36–27.

The Tigers entered the second half on a 7-0 run to cut the margin to 36-34 within the first three minutes. Dodge would return a 6-0 run to stretch their lead back out to 42-34 at the 15-minute mark. The Tigers would continue to battle as the Conqs extended their lead out to double digits twice before a dunk from sophomore Marquintez Dixon spurred the Tigers on a 14-2 run to put them within one point, 66-65, prompting the Conquistadors to call a full timeout now with just under two minutes to play.

With 30 seconds left, Otasevic converted a layup to give Tech a 67–66 lead. Going the other way, Dixon came up with a big defensive stop, blocking Dodge's initial shot attempt. The Conquistadors retained possession and used their final timeout with 22 seconds left. Out of the timeout, Dodge attacked the lane again, but Dixon rejected another shot, with the ball going out of bounds and 13 seconds showing on the clock. On the following inbound play, Tech would be called for a foul while battling for a loose ball, sending the Conquistadors to the line. Dodge would convert both free throws to regain a 68–67 lead. With one final opportunity, Tech worked the ball inside to Otasevic, but his shot would not fall as time expired.

The Tigers placed four players in double figures, led by Marquintez Dixon with 22 points. Kaleel Kelly added 17, while Matija Otasevic finished with 10.

Men's Basketball returns to action Saturday as the Tigers travel to Concordia, Kansas, to face Cloud County Community College.