FHSU Athletics

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Fort Hays State improved to 18-9 overall and 10-8 in the MIAA with a 65-56 win at Pittsburg State on Saturday afternoon at John Lance Arena. The Tigers moved back above the Gorillas in the MIAA standings, who fell to 15-12 overall and 9-8 in the MIAA. FHSU took the lead for good with about six minutes remaining in the game, picking up its second-straight win over PSU going back to last season.

After Pittsburg State briefly held a few small leads in the first five and a half minutes of the game, FHSU took the lead with a little over 13 minutes remaining in the half and kept it all the way to half. A 6-0 burst by the Tigers, which included a 4-point play from Jahvari Martino, pushed their lead to 11 with under a minute to go. The Gorillas hit the final basket of the first half and FHSU led 31-22 at the break.

An 11-2 run by Pittsburg State erased FHSU’s nine-point lead over about a six-minute span, tying the game 44-44 with just under nine minutes to play. The Gorillas went into the lead by one point two times, but a Lucas Hammeke layup near the 6:00 mark put the Tigers back on top for good. That sparked a 9-0 run by the Tigers to go up eight, which featured a pair of baskets by Dan Mukuna and a 3-point field goal by Kyle Grill. The Gorillas got back within three at the 2:53 mark, but FHSU limited PSU to just two points the rest of the game and won by nine.

FHSU limited PSU to just 36.5 percent shooting from the field for the game, while shooting 41.4 percent overall. Mukuna led the scoring for FHSU with 14 points, while Martino had 12 and Hammeke had 11. FHSU did a great job protecting the ball with a season-low three turnovers, while forcing PSU into 14. The Tigers outscored the Gorillas 15-0 on points off turnovers.

Mason English and Donald Coats each had 12 points to lead PSU. Alijah Curry added 10. Coats finished with a double-double by securing 13 rebounds.

Fort Hays State returns home to host Nebraska-Kearney in the final home game of the regular season on Thursday night (Feb. 26). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

Connecticut is bracing for a significant nor’easter that could deliver more than a foot of snow, heavy winds and blizzard conditions.

Snow is expected to start falling Sunday evening, with the heaviest rates starting early Monday morning and into the afternoon.

Between 10 and 18 inches of snow is in the forecast for much of Connecticut, the National Weather Service said. The eastern part of the state could see more. Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts could get up to 2 feet in places. Snow is expected across much of the Northeast.

A blizzard warning is in effect for southern Connecticut starting at 1 p.m. Sunday. That includes Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties. Northern Connecticut is under a winter storm warning starting at 4 p.m. Sunday. That includes Hartford, Tolland, Windham and Litchfield counties.

Travel is expected to be difficult with blowing snow reducing visibility, the weather service said. Power outages are possible.

Gov. Ned Lamont is enacting Connecticut’s severe cold weather protocol starting at noon Sunday. The protocol leads to coordination among state agencies, cities and shelters to help the most vulnerable stay out of the cold weather.

People in need of shelter or a warming center may call 211 or visit 211ct.org.

“It will be extremely dangerous to be outside during this storm, and we want to get the word out that shelters and warming centers are open statewide for anyone who needs a safe place to stay warm,” Lamont said in a statement.

Power outages possible

Eversource has been monitoring the forecast and has placed equipment and crews in various parts of the state in preparation for the storm. Additional crews are being brought to the state, officials said.

Eversource recommends people prepare, including having a kit with water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, and medications, as well as charging devices and food for pets.

“This has the potential to bring down trees and branches onto electric lines and equipment, causing damage and power outage,” Steve Sullivan, Eversource’s president of electric operations, said in a statement. “Our line and tree crews around the state are ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible to whatever this storm brings, but the hazardous weather will make travel and work conditions challenging for our crews, so response times will likely be impacted.”

Cities prepare

Cities across Connecticut are issuing snow emergencies and parking bans.

Hartford’s parking ban is in effect starting at noon Sunday. Blue Light lots will be open to allow residents to get their vehicles off the street. All Hartford Public Schools parking lots are available for parking, except for Bulkeley High.

“Our Public Works team is standing by to keep our roads clear and safe, but we need your help to make our snow cleaning operation as easy as possible,” Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said in a statement.

In New Haven, a parking ban is in effect starting at noon Sunday. In residential areas, parking is not allowed on odd-numbered side streets, city officials said. In downtown, as well as snow emergency routes, parking is not allowed on both sides of the street. Vehicles can be parked at several locations, including selected parking lots at New Haven Public Schools, Yale University parking lots and downtown parking garages. Learn about New Haven warming centers here.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons declared a winter storm emergency starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, which limits on-street parking. Parking will be free at the Bedford, Bell, and Summer Street garages, officials said.