HAYS, Kan. -- Behind a career high 31 points from D'Ante Harris and some clutch second half shooting by Brandon Burgette, the #4 SBU Bearcats moved into sole possession of first place with an 86-84 victory on the road at Fort Hays State.

The career high from D'Ante Harris came on 10 of 17 shooting, including 7 of 13 from long distance. Burgette had 16 points, was 4 of 4 from the line and had 4 rebounds. Tomas Brock added 10 points. Matt Rogers had 8 points, a team high 7 boards, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Terry Jeffries led the Tigers (17-7, 10-7 MIAA) with 25 points.

The Bearcats (21-3, 14-3 MIAA) trailed at halftime 41-39 but finally took the lead for good at 63-62 with 10:56 to go on a layup by D'Ante Harris. Burgette would hit back-to-back threes with eight minutes remaining to extend the Bearcats' margin to eight, before Harris would push it to 75-64 on a trey with 6:35 remaining.

The Tigers would continue to fight back, but another big three by Harris came with 1:11 left to give the 'Cats a five-point lead at 80-75. FHSU would get to within a single point with 1.5 seconds left on a three by Jeffries but Brock would hit a free throw to give SBU its final margin.

“I know it sounds like a broken record, but any win is a good win in the MIAA,” said head coach Jeff Guiot. “We're happy when we win and anyone else in the MIAA loses."

The Bearcats played most of the game without senior Nick Kovacevich who was injured on the first play of the game. Kovacevich tried to return at the start of the second half but was not able to stay in the game. Guiot said that it was nice to see the other guys step up in Kovacevich's absence and praised Burgette in particular. “Brandon was really the unsung hero. He hit some big threes to extend the lead and was perfect from the foul line.”

With the win and Central Missouri's 81-71 loss at Nebraska-Omaha, the Bearcats are now alone in first place in the MIAA with three games remaining.

The Bearcats return Saturday evening and look to avenge an earlier loss to the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. The Mavs will visit the Meyer Sports Center for the first time and SBU will look to continue their 28-game home court winning streak. Tipoff against the Mavs is 7:30 p.m.

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