Southern (17-11) had cut the Tigers' lead to just three (17-14) after a jumper from TJ Britton with 10:44 left in the first half. Hays (19-9) then went on an 11-0 run to push its lead to 14 (28-14) with 7:46 left in the half. The lead would be 14 (37-23) at the half.

The Lions started the second half strong and went on a 13-6 run to start the second half, capped off by a free throw from Vincent Ateba to make the score 43-36 with 11 minutes left. A three point play from Octavius Hawkins on the next trip down got the Lions to within four at 43-39 with just under 11 minutes to go.

A 9-2 run for the Tigers pushed the Fort Hays lead to 11 at 52-41 with 7:20 remaining. The lead moved to ten twice, before the Lions started another push.

A three pointer from Skyler Bowlin with just under three minutes to go in the game brought the Lions to within five (58-53) and another three from Tyler Ryerson the next time down the court cut the lead to four (60-56). A layup from Tony Webb made the score 60-58 with 1:41 remaining. However, the Tigers would finish on an 8-1 run to put away the game.

Hawkins led the Lions with 17 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes of play. Webb scored 11, while both Ateba and Bowlin had 10 points each. Bowlin added three assists and three steals.

The Lions shot just 37 percent from the field and 31 percent from long range.

Southern finishes the season at 17-11, but coach Robert Corn has led the Lions to 10 consecutive MIAA tournaments, 13 in total in his career.